“My dear Miss Arden, let us cease all disputes,” said Miss Cotton; “Miss Vincent and her friend are the most suitable persons to be together, when they are in a quarrelsome mood: let us forbear speaking to them.”
“Cotton would make an admirable methodist parson,” cried Miss Vincent.
“I wish I could return the compliment; for a good method leads to proper conduct.”
CHAPTER VII.
The young ladies had always to write an extract from one of the sermons they had heard at church on the sabbath day. In this exercise of memory Miss Damer particularly excelled; the most difficult sermon she could transcribe almost word for word. This had excited the spirit of envy in Miss Vincent. The week after the dispute upon the medal, when Miss Damer opened her book, wherein she had written a sermon with extreme neatness, she found every line so scrawled, that one word could not be distinguished from another. Surprised at this proof of secret malice, she involuntarily gave the book to Miss Cotton, who was seated by her. Mrs. Adair, however, desired to look at it. After examining every page, she said, and at the same time fixed her eyes upon Miss Vincent, “I pity the young lady who has done this; she has betrayed one of the meanest passions of the human mind.” She now looked anxiously round the room; “I see few countenances,” she added, “where envy reigns.
“Miss Vincent, had you ever this book in your hand? speak in a moment—yes, or no: I want no other word!”
“No, ma’am; I never had the book in my hand, I can declare with truth.”
“Miss Bruce, is this your work? for I know you are a little busy-body.”