"No, my dear boy, you can't stay at home. Impossible!" he said. "We would all stay at home if we could do the poor thing any good. But here you would be only in the way. Would he not, Harriet?"
"Decidedly," said Harriet, with one of her flashing looks.
Mr. Gage bit his lip, and turned to leave the room.
"There, go and make yourself decent," said Captain Gage, echoing Harriet's words. "Upon my honour, I am very sorry for the poor little girl. Her first ball too!"
CHAPTER XI.
Aos homens todos
Lhes deu um livro so' a natureza,
O proprio coração.
CATÂO.
Nature hath given to all men one same book,
'Tis their own heart.
E se voi stanchi fossi d' ascoltare
Si vi potrete riposar in tanto.
ZINABI.
"I don't know when I have been so vexed," said Harriet, who was sitting with Margaret, while the ladies went up to dress. "I'm sure you will never be friends with me after this contretemps."
"Indeed I shall," said Margaret. "You could not help it, I know; and it is no such great misfortune after all."