'Oh no, she's not really; she only wants her bit of fun.'
'But to be rude to an elderly lady!' continued Miss Delacour.
'She did not mean it for rudeness. She just wanted you to enjoy yourself. You see, we are accustomed to a great deal of freedom, and there never was a man like daddy, and we are so happy with him.'
'Lucy—your name is Lucy, isn't it?'
'I am called Jasmine, but my name is Lucy,' said the girl, with a sigh.
'That was your mother's name,' continued Miss Agnes. 'You remind me of her a little, without having her great beauty. You are a plain child, Lucy, but you ought to be thankful, seeing that such is the will of the Almighty.'
'Jasper says I am exceedingly handsome,' replied Lucy.
'Oh, that awful boy! What a man your father must be to allow such talk!'
'Please, please, auntie, don't speak against him. He's an angel, if ever there was one. I want to make you happy, auntie; but if you speak against father, I greatly fear I can't. Please, for the sake of my mother, be nice to father.'
'I mean to be nice to every one, child. I have come here for the purpose. You certainly have a look of your mother. You have got her eyes, for instance.'