Mrs. Bennett immediately put on the proper expression.
'Tell me, quick, all about it,' she said. 'I will do penance if I have given you cause.'
'Indeed, you have given great cause. You have undertaken to bring out a gentleman, and your own cousin, too, without presenting him to me, and I made up my mind never to speak to you again; but you see how I keep my resolution.'
'Poor Mr. Meeker!' exclaimed Mrs. Bennett. 'He little thinks in what trouble he has involved me.'
'But what have you to say for yourself?' persisted Miss Thorne.
'I declare, Arabella, I don't know what to say. Cousin Hiram is so odd and so obstinate on some points, although in most respects the best creature in the world.'
'Why, what can you mean?'
'I can hardly explain what I do mean. In short, while Cousin Hiram asks my advice in many matters, and, indeed, follows it; yet, where ladies are concerned, he is as obstinate as a mule.'
'But what has that to do with your not presenting him?'
'Well, since you must know,' hesitated Mrs. Bennett, 'he declined being introduced to you.'