"Green yet," said Vincent, lighting a cigar. "I can remember when I was just such a simpleton. 'Virtuous women!' If women are virtuous, why do they give the cold shoulder to steady moral fellows, to smile on a reckless dog like me? I have always found women much more anxious to ascertain the state of a man's purse than the state of his morals. If I am an infidel on the subject of female virtue, women have only themselves to thank for it. I believed in it once."
CHAPTER XXI.
"She's down stairs, she's back again, the young woman and her baby. I knew you wouldn't like to hear it, ma'am."
"Go down stairs, and tell her I am not at home, Patty."
"I did tell her so, knowing your mind, ma'am; but she said I was mistaken, for that she saw you at the window."
"Say that I am sick, then, and can not be disturbed; and, Patty, tell the cook to see that her custards are ready for dessert; Mr. Finels dines here to-day."
Patty retired with her instructions, but presently returned in great haste.
"Bless us all, ma'am, the baby is taken in a fit in the entry, and is rolling up its eyes horrid! Shall I tell her to go away with it?"