'I believe you would not have dared to behave in such a manner to Lizzie, or to anyone else who knew what was due to her,' said Anne; 'if Miss Hazleby is vain and vulgar, she is still a woman, and ought to be respected as such.'
Rupert laughed rather provokingly. 'It is just as I say,' said Anne; 'now is it not, Mamma?'
'Oh yes, Anne,' said Rupert, 'perfectly right, you have caught Helen's sententious wisdom exactly; I have no doubt that such were the thoughts which passed through her mind, while she sat like propriety personified, wondering how you could have so little sense of decorum as to laugh at anything so impudent.'
'I know I ought not to have laughed,' said Anne; 'that was one of the occasions when I did not exert sufficient self-control. But there was really very little to laugh at, it was quite an old joke. Rupert had disposed of Fido's heart long before, but he is so fond of his own wit, that he never knows when we have had enough of a joke.'
'I could tell you of something much worse, Anne,' said Lady Merton, 'which quite proves the truth of what you say.'
Rupert coloured, made an exclamation about something in the road, and seemed so much discomposed by this hint, that Anne forbore to ask any questions.
'Rupert fitted himself to a T, that we must say for him,' said Sir Edward.
'What do you mean, Papa?' said Anne.
'There is another word which begins with self-con—' said Lady Merton,' which suits him remarkably well.'
'Ah! ha!' cried Anne.