"Disagreeable! You are the first person, Frances, I ever heard apply that epithet to Mr. Hall; no one ever thinks of him, and had you left him alone, it would not have happened."
"I know that; but I took compassion on him; you and Mr. Vavasour were so deeply engaged," she said maliciously; "you never gave him a thought, and because I did, this is my thanks. I shall be wiser for the future."
"As most people are. Learn wisdom, and yet commit foolish actions every day of their lives."
"Perhaps I shall be different from most people," and she commenced trying to disentangle the wool.
"A hopeless task," said Mrs. Linchmore, "only waste of time and temper; better let it alone, there are plenty of wools upstairs in my work basket; I have no doubt Mason will find you a match for this, if you ask her, you are most welcome to any I have," and she took up the book she had laid down, as a hint to Frances she wished the conversation to end.
So at least Frances thought, and left her alone, after first putting away the wool in the sofa table drawer.
But Mrs. Linchmore did not read, she laid the book carelessly in her lap, and was soon, apparently, deep in thought, from which she was only aroused by her husband's entrance; drawing a half sigh at the interruption, she took up her book again, and gave no reply to his greeting.
"I am afraid I have disturbed you, Isabella; you were dozing, were you not? or very nearly so."
"Never mind. It is almost time to dress for dinner." She shut up the book, and was rising, when he said,