“There! Didn’t I tell you, now?” ejaculated Mrs Jane Talbot.
“I am sure I don’t know, Jane,” responded her sister, in querulous tones. “You are always talking about something. I never can tell how you manage to keep continually talking, in the way you do. I could not bear it. I never was a talker; I haven’t breath for it, with my poor chest,—such a perpetual rattle,—I don’t know how you stand it, I’m sure. And to think what a beautiful singer I was once! Young Sir Samuel Dennis once said I entranced him, when he had heard my singing to Mrs Lucy’s spinnet—positively entranced him! And Lord James Morehurst—”
“An unmitigated donkey!” slid in Mrs Jane.
“Jane, how you do talk! One can’t get in a word for you. What was I saying, Clarissa?”
“You were speaking of Lord James Morehurst, dear Marcella. ’Tis all very well for Jane to run him down,” said Mrs Vane in a languishing style, fanning herself as she spoke, “but I am sure he was the most charming black man I ever saw. He once paid me such a compliment on my fine eyes!”
“More jackanapes he!” came from Mrs Jane.
“Well, I don’t believe he ever paid you such an one,” said Mrs Clarissa, pettishly.
“He’d have got his ears boxed if he had,” returned Mrs Jane. “The impudence of some of those fellows!”
“Poor dear Jane! she never had any taste,” sighed Mrs Marcella. “I protest, Clarissa, I am quite pleased to hear this news. As much pleased, you know, as a poor suffering creature like me can be. But I think Mrs Rhoda has done extreme well. Mr Welles is of a good stock and an easy fortune, and he has the sweetest taste in dress.”
“Birds of a feather!” muttered Mrs Jane. “Ay, I knew what Mark-Me-Well was after. Told you so from the first. I marked him, be sure.”