"What a taste Mr. Palliser must have!" Alice thought to herself.
"But I need not tell you that Lady Glencowrer is—very young; we may say, very young indeed."
"Mr. Bott, I will not talk to you about Lady Glencora Palliser."
This Alice said in a determined voice, and with all the power of resistance at her command. She frowned too, and looked savagely at Mr. Bott. But he was a man of considerable courage, and knew how to bear such opposition without flinching.
"When I tell you, Miss Vavasor, that I speak solely with a view to her domestic happiness!"
"I don't think that she wishes to have any such guardian of her happiness."
"But if he wishes it, Miss Vavasor! Now I have the means of knowing that he has the greatest reliance on your judgement."
Hereupon Alice got up with the intention of leaving the room, but she was met at the door by Mrs. Conway Sparkes.
"Are you running from your breakfast, Miss Vavasor?" said she.
"No, Mrs. Sparkes; I am running from Mr. Bott," said Alice, who was almost beside herself with anger.