'Sophia's too free with her tongue. It's a mistake. It frightens people off.'
'Men, you mean?'
'Especially men.'
'I often think,' said the young woman, 'that men—all except Paul—would be more shocked at Sophia—if—she wasn't who she is.'
'No doubt,' agreed her aunt. 'Still I sympathize with her parents. I don't see how they'll ever marry her. She might just as well be Miss Jones—that girl—for all she makes of herself.'
'Yes; I've often thought so, too,' agreed Hermione, apparently conscious that the very most was made of her.
'She hasn't even been taught to walk.' Lady John was still watching the girl's approach.
'Yet she looks best out of doors,' said Hermione, firmly.
'Oh, yes! She comes into the drawing-room as if she were crossing a ploughed field!'
'All the same,' said Hermione, under her breath, 'when she is indoors I'd rather see her walking than sitting.'