"Because they know no one else would take them. But you've the temper of a fury. You haven't a friend left, and everyone hates you."
"Oh! oh! oh!" moaned Lady Alice, sinking back, with her hand pressed to her heart piteously, and closing her eyes, as she recollected how ill she was.
"Ho! dear me!" exclaimed Lady Jane, in high disdain. "Had not you better restore my key before you die, old lady?"
"Jane!" exclaimed Lady Alice, recovering in an instant, "have you no feeling—you know the state I'm in; and you're bent on killing me with your unfeeling brutality?"
"You're perfectly well, ma'am, and you look it. I wish I was half as strong; you oblige me to come all this way, this bitter night, you odious old woman."
"I see how it is, and why you want the key. A very little more, and I'll write to General Lennox."
"Do; and he'll horsewhip you."
Lady Jane herself was a little stunned at this speech, when she heard it from her own lips; and I think would have recalled it.
"Thank you, Jane; I hope you'll remember that. Horsewhip me! No doubt you wish it; but General Lennox is a gentleman, I hope, although he has married you; and I don't suppose he would murder a miserable old woman to gratify you."
"You know perfectly what I mean—if you were a man he would horsewhip you; you have done nothing but insult me ever since you entered this house."