"True, Lavinia has had lately much to distract her attention," says the jest-hunting Squire; "but her things were never better in spite of—. Well we won't touch upon that subject!"
And the mischievous Squire laughs heartily at Miss Lavinia's stately and reproving expression.
"What's that?" says Mr. Rushton; "what subject?"
"Oh, nothing—nothing."
"What does he mean, madam?" asks Mr. Rushton, of the lady.
Miss Lavinia colors slightly, and looks more stately than ever.
"Nothing, sir," she says, with dignity.
"'Nothing!' nobody ever means anything!"
"Oh, never," says the Squire, and then he adds, mischievously,—"by-the-by, Rushton, how is my friend, Mr. Roundjacket?"
"As villainous as ever," says the lawyer; "my opinion of Mr.
Roundjacket, sir, is, that he is a villain!"