“Has Rosalba Pearson ever shown any disposition to obtrude herself upon you?”
“No, not at all. I must do her the justice to say, that she has always behaved as if she knew her place.”
“Or that she had no wish to force herself into the first circles unsolicited;” said Isabella dryly. A slight flush passed over her companion’s cheek; for she had too much sense not to understand what Isabella meant.
“Both Ma and Pa have always been very particular in cautioning me against allowing myself to be drawn into low company,” said she, as if wishing to offer an excuse for what she could not vindicate.
“My parents have been equally particular,” returned her companion. “But perhaps your parents and mine do not agree as to what is low company. Some people judge of individuals according to their standing in the world; others by their manners and information, and consider them low or high in proportion to their excellence in these respects. But it is a subject on which it is folly for us to pretend to dispute. All that I know” she continued playfully, “is, that unless we sink a little lower by going down these steps pretty quickly, we shall be in danger of having to walk, instead of riding, home; for I see your Mamma and my Aunt Harriet going towards the carriage.”
So saying, Isabella, evidently desirous of putting a stop to a conversation in which she saw plainly they could not agree, began to run down the steps at a rapid rate.
“Oh, do stop, Isabella; don’t run so fast, I beg of you! It’s so vulgar to run!” exclaimed Matilda, following as rapidly as her dignity would permit.
“If I were in Chestnut street, it might be so,” replied Isabella, stopping for a moment at one of the landings; “but here in the country, I may surely indulge myself; and I do, in my heart, like a good run;” and away she flew again, nor stopped an instant till she had reached the carriage, where, with her sweet face glowing and her bosom heaving with the exercise she had taken, she waited for the arrival of her more dignified companion.
“It’s a pity but you could keep that colour captive, Isabella until to-morrow evening,” said her Aunt as she looked with pleasure on the bright face of her niece. “You would need little else to prepare you for the party.”
“What party is she going to?” asked Mrs. Hamilton, rather surprised that there was anything of the kind going on, without her daughter receiving an invitation.