“What! Don’t tell me to let you have one night’s rest! I wonder at your impudence! It’s mighty fine, I never can go out with you and - goodness knows! - it’s seldom enough without having my feelings torn to pieces by people of all sorts. A set of bold minxes!
“What am I raving about?
“Oh, you know very well - very well, indeed, Mr. Caudle. A pretty person she must be to nod to a man walking with his own wife! Don’t tell me that it’s Miss Prettyman - what’s Miss Prettyman to me? Oh!
“You’ve met her once or twice at her brother’s house?
“Yes, I dare say you have - no doubt of it. I always thought there was something very tempting about that house - and now I know it all. Now, it’s no use, Mr. Caudle, your beginning to talk loud, and twist and toss your arms about as if you were as innocent as a born babe - I’m not to be deceived by such tricks now. No; there was a time when I was a fool and believed anything; but - I thank my stars! - I’ve got over that.
“A bold minx! You suppose I didn’t see her laugh, too, when she nodded to you! Oh yes, I knew what she thought me - a poor miserable creature, of course. I could see that. No - don’t say so, Caudle. I don’t always see more than anybody else - but I can’t and won’t be blind, however agreeable it might be to you; I must have the use of my senses. I’m sure, if a woman wants attention and respect from a man, she’d better be anything than his wife. I’ve always thought so; and to-day’s decided it.
“No; I’m not ashamed of myself to talk so - certainly not.
“A good, amiable young creature indeed!
“Yes; I dare say; very amiable, no doubt. Of course, you think her so. You suppose I didn’t see what sort of a bonnet she had on? Oh, a very good creature! And you think I didn’t see the smudges of court plaster about her face?
“You didn’t see ’em?