Ben looked provoked, but forbore to reply; while Miss Pace, who had recovered her composure, said—"Politeness! Ah, a lovely but rare virtue; perceptibly developed, however, in the manners of my friend Gertrude, which I hesitate not to affirm would well become a princess."
Belle curled her lip, and smiled disdainfully. "Lieutenant Osborne," said she, "don't you think Miss Devereux has beautiful manners?"
"Very fine," replied the lieutenant; "the style in which she receives company, on her reception-day, is elegance itself."
"Who are you speaking of?" inquired Kitty; "Mrs. Harry Noble?"
"Miss Devereux, we were remarking upon," said Belle; "but Mrs. Noble is also very stylish."
"I think she is," said Mr. Bruce; "do you hear, Fanny?—we have found a model for you,—you must imitate Mrs. Noble."
"I don't know anything about Mrs. Noble," retorted Fanny; "I'd rather imitate Miss Flint. Miss Gertrude," said she, "how shall I learn politeness?"
"Do you remember," asked Gertrude, speaking low, "what your music-master told you about learning to play with expression? I should give you the same rule for improvement in politeness."
Fanny blushed deeply. "What is that?" said Mr. Graham; "Fanny, what is Gertrude's rule for politeness."
"She only said," answered Fanny, "that it was the same my music-master gave me last winter."