This moment, madam, said Lucy.
Why, sure thou dreamest, wench! replied she. Hast thou told me how I was seized and carried off? How I was rescued again? And—
No, indeed, madam, interrupted Lucy, I don't dream; I never told your ladyship that you was carried off.
Well, said Arabella, and why dost thou not satisfy my curiosity? Is it not fit I should be acquainted with such a momentous part of my history?
I can't, indeed, and please your ladyship, said Lucy.
What canst thou not? said Arabella, enraged at her stupidity.
Why, madam, said Lucy, sobbing, I can't make a history of nothing!
Of nothing, wench! resumed Arabella, in a greater rage than before. Dost thou call an adventure to which thou wast a witness, and borest haply so great a share in, nothing?—An adventure which hereafter will make a considerable figure in the relation of my life, dost thou look upon as trifling and of no consequence?
No, indeed I don't, madam, said Lucy.
Why then, pursued Arabella, dost thou wilfully neglect to relate it? Suppose, as there is nothing more likely, thou wert commanded by some persons of considerable quality, or haply some great princes and princesses, to recount the adventures of my life, wouldest thou omit a circumstance of so much moment?