“Settled by whom, my dear Jane? I conclude he has changed his plans.”
“Well! I know how it will be: we shall have none of Frank's society; he will for ever be making excursions with Don Emidio where we cannot go.”
“Their distant excursions are over; and we want them for all the places we have to visit near Naples. Up to now we have been so taken up with the Vernons that I have not cared for much more than the walk backwards and forwards to their house and our own. But we have a great deal to see, and I am longing to begin.”
“Oh! Don Emidio has seen it already a dozen times. It would only bore him to go over it again.”
I cannot conceive what made me say this to Mary. I think I was cross. I know I was tired and hot with my walk. She made no answer for a few seconds; but I felt she was looking at me. And so I did that stupid thing which one always hates doing and cannot the least prevent—I blushed. Having thus made myself look like a fool, I glanced at Mary, and our eyes met.
“Do you dislike Don Emidio, Jane, that you speak in that way?”
“Dear me! no, not at all. I only did not suppose he would care to go over all the old places again.”
“It is not always the places; it is sometimes the company that is the chief attraction.”
“Oh! yes; I know Don Emidio is devoted to Frank.”
“I think he likes us all, Jane.”