“‘You would not be very angry, would you?’ asked Nicholas.
“‘Wouldn’t I!’ said Miss La Creevy. ‘You had better try; that’s all.’
“Nicholas, with becoming gallantry, immediately took Miss La Creevy at her word, who uttered a faint scream and slapped his face; but it was not a very hard slap, and that’s the truth.
“‘I never saw such a rude creature!’ exclaimed Miss La Creevy.
“‘You told me to try,’ said Nicholas.
“‘Well, but I was speaking ironically,’ rejoined Miss La Creevy.
“‘Oh! that’s another thing,’ said Nicholas; ‘you should have told me that, too.’”
“‘Look at me,’ said Nicholas, wishing to attract his full attention. ‘There; don’t turn away. Do you remember no woman, no kind woman, who hung over you once, and kissed your lips, and called you her child?’