"No, indeed," said Isabel.
"I suppose," said John, coolly, "she chose the society she thought the pleasantest. Probably Miss Margaret's politeness was more than she had been accustomed to."
Margaret coloured, not quite knowing what to make of the speaker or his speech.
"It would take much to make me believe," said gentle Mrs. Chauncey, "that a child of such refined and delicate feeling as that little girl evidently has, could take pleasure in improper company."
Margaret had a reply at her tongue's end, but she had also an uneasy feeling that there were eyes not far off too keen of sight to be baffled; she kept silence till the group dispersed, and she had an opportunity of whispering in Marianne's ear that "that was the very most disagreeable man she had ever seen in her life."
"What a singular fancy you have taken to this little pet of
Alice's, Mr. John!" said Mrs. Marshman's youngest daughter.
"You quite surprise me."
"Did you think me a misanthrope, Miss Sophia?"
"Oh, no, not at all; but I always had a notion you would not be easily pleased in the choice of favourites."
"Easily! When a simple, intelligent child of twelve or thirteen is a common character, then I will allow that I am easily pleased."
"Twelve or thirteen!" said Miss Sophia; "what are you thinking about? Alice says she is only ten or eleven."