“Indeed! Do you read Sterne?”
“Certainly not,” said Constance, looking very serious.
“Then what do you paint his Maria for? How do you know whether she is a fit subject for you?”
“Hush, sir! You must not interrupt my work.”
“I suppose you have lots of fun here over your art studies, eh?”
“Who?”
“You, and all the other girls here.”
“Oh, I am sure I dont know any of them.”
“Quite right, too, your ladyship. Dont make yourself cheap. I hope none of the low beggars ever have the audacity to speak to you.”
“I dont know anything about them,” said Lady Constance, pettishly. “All I mean is that they are strangers to me.”