"Well, at least I meant well," said Mrs. Horne, stiffly, "and my good intention must be its own reward. I like Nancy, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered." Then rising, "I see the Tremezzo boat coming in, and I will go back in her!"
"No indeed, Sally," pulling her down, "you will do nothing of the sort. I'm an ungrateful, ungracious old harridan, and I'm sincerely obliged to you for your interest in Nancy. I confess, that I have never seen anything but the best side of Dudley; I believe, and I feel in my bones,—that he has behaved most honourably, with regard to the girl; not one indiscreet word has he spoken! That I can guarantee; and she is not susceptible! Every scrap of love in her heart was absorbed by her father, and since his death, I do not think she has much to spare for anyone. Dudley and Nancy are good friends, and no more. I've allowed them a little extra liberty, to go sketching and boating, not knowing that every eye was fixed upon them! I have already told you, I trust Dudley, and as for the girl, before she ever saw him, I informed her that he was a married man."
"Sometimes that makes no difference," remarked her companion.
"Oh! my dear Sally, I'm afraid you are getting infected; let me again assure you, that Dudley's friendship with Nancy, is entirely platonic!"
"Then, my dear Elizabeth, it's something entirely new for Dudley Villars," and Mrs. Horne, imparted to a reluctant ear, a brief account of one or two affairs of which he was the hero.
"I suppose you haven't heard that the Bellamys are separated on his account, and Daisy Bellamy has gone home to her mother?"
"I've never believed that Dudley was responsible for that business! still I'm afraid, Sally, that I've been a little slack as a chaperon; so I'll put an end to the talk, by taking the girl on to Florence."
"A very wise move, my dear, and I sincerely hope it will not be a case of 'locking the stable door, when the steed is stolen.'"
"No indeed! my palfrey is safe. Nancy is heartwhole. I am getting rather tired of the lake, and am such a well-known old tramp, that when I bundle off at a couple of days' notice, it never excites remark."
"Do you think that Dudley Villars will make his way there too?"