Alison quitted the Gardens in haste, and hurried home with her two charges; and she was afterwards compelled to relinquish promenading there, one of her chief pleasures, as Dehorsey was always on the watch for her, and more than once had followed her at a little distance to the door of the house in Pembridge Square.
She was thus obliged to remain more indoors than she was wont to do; and, to add to her annoyance there, she was considerably afflicted by much more than she relished of the society of the loud and fast Miss De Jobbyns; for that young lady had recently found an admirer, or—as she confidently alleged—a lover, and in her vanity and exultation was never weary of expatiating to Alison on his merits and wealth, his looks, his phrases, his dress, the 'button-holes' she made for him, and how she and her mamma contrived to waylay him in the park or the Row and elsewhere, to all of which Alison's listened wearily and without interest, not even caring to inquire his name.
She had her own sad thoughts of love, and they were enough for her.
'I should like you to see him when he comes to mamma's weekly reception,' continued the young lady, as she frizzed up her hair and practised œillades at herself in Alison's little mirror, 'but as a rule mamma never intrudes a governess on friends—excuse me saying so.'
'I am aware of that,' replied Alison, softly, and heedless of the cutting rudeness of the speech.
'Since Miss Smythe-Smythe was here, she fancies that governesses require to be snubbed.'
'Why?'
'As a matter of principle, I suppose; but, upon my soul, I think it is rather hard upon you,' continued this slangy young person. 'We met him at Mr. Taype the lawyer's house, in Sussex Gardens, and, as he is rich, mamma fastened on him at once for me, don't you know; oh, isn't it fun?'
'Are you engaged then?' asked Alison, when Miss De Jobbyns had expatiated on the subject for more than half an hour.
'Engaged—oh, no—not exactly yet—but it is only a matter of time. He showed a great desire to cultivate our family; or rather mamma determined to cultivate him. But, hang it all! He is very shy for an officer, and leaves me to do the spooning actually.'