"But children are taught to show forth their gratitude not only in their lives but with their lips," suggested the artist.
"It is a senseless plan all the same," laughed Isabel; "I couldn't bear to think that my friends liked me only because I was kind to them."
"I do not think you need distress yourself on that score, dear lady."
"I want people to like me because I am attractive in myself—not because I am amiable."
Mr. Madderley shook his head. "I cannot commend your prudence; for you will probably cease to be attractive when you are about five-and-forty, while you can go on being amiable until you are eighty-nine."
"I don't see that; hundreds of women are attractive long after they are five-and-forty."
"Of course they are; but they generally belong to the plump and amiable school. Tongue is not a dish which improves by keeping, my dear Lady Disdain."
"Wrexham, turn him out of the room, at once," cried Isabel; "he is becoming insufferable!"
"What did he say? I did not hear," inquired the host, who was feeding his dogs at that particular moment.
"He says my tongue is too sharp."