"We were only observing how much power the woman possessed over the man's mind, by gentleness, patience, and soft words, under trials, my dear Lady Kerrison."
"Gentleness! patience!" remarked Clara, with a laugh of disdain,—"ask my brute any thing patiently!"
Anna Maria caught her hand, as she extended it scornfully towards Sir Foster.
"Now, dear Clara, don't be energetic. I will ask Tom what he thinks. Tom always says things so agreeably."
"I will say what is true, if it proves disagreeable," replied Clara, withdrawing her hand from Anna Maria's light grasp, and again pointing attention, by a graceful movement, to Sir Foster, who sat silently winking his eye. "If there is a creature born to be a blessing to woman—patient, gentle, and interesting—look at that man."
Sir Foster winked violently. Anna Maria bent towards Lady Kerrison.
"Hush, my dear sister; do not offend Sir Foster, I beseech you; pray do not attract people's notice. My dear Clara, forbear!"
"Nay, he is attractive enough in himself," observed Lady Kerrison, in raised tones; "no words of mine can exalt him higher among the brute creation, than he stands by nature."
Mrs. Tom Pynsent became alarmed at her sister's audacity, and she signed to her husband, who was seated by Mrs. Tyndal, to join the little circle. He advanced immediately.