Miss Flouncer was evidently a little put out.
“Then I trust, my dear madam,” said I, hasting to her relief by affording her an opportunity of being generous, “that you will allow me to put down your name as an annual subscriber.”
Miss Flouncer, being a very strong-minded woman, had recovered herself very suddenly, and replied with calm deliberation, accompanied by an undulation—
“No, Captain Bingley, I have made it a rule never to give charity from impulse; I always give, when I do give—”
“Ahem!” coughed Gildart slightly.
“When I do give,” repeated Miss Flouncer, “from principle, and after a careful examination of the merits of each particular case.”
“Indeed!” said Sir Richard, with an appearance of faint surprise; “what a bore you must find the examination of the cases!”
“By no means, Sir Richard. Very little time suffices for each case, for many of them, I find, almost intuitively, merit dismissal on the spot; and I assure you it saves a great deal of money. You would be surprised if you knew how little I find it necessary to give away in charity in the course of the year.”
Miss Flouncer undulated at Sir Richard as she gave utterance to this noble sentiment, and Mrs Bingley applauded it to Mr Stuart, who took no notice of the applause, and indicated no opinion on the point whatever.
“Now,” continued Miss Flouncer, firmly, “before I become a subscriber to your society, Captain Bingley. I must be quite certain that it accomplishes much good, that it is worthy of support.”