“'What would Madam Esmond say?' she cries out. 'She would say that you are an ungrateful, artful, false, little——'
“'Madam!' says I.
“'Yes, an ungrateful, artful, false, little wretch!' cries out my mother. 'For shame, miss! What would Mr. Lintot say if he saw you making eyes at the Captain? And for you, Harry, I will have you bring none of your garrison manners hither. This is a Christian family, sir, and you will please to know that my house is not intended for captains and their misses!'
“'Misses, mother!' says I. 'Gracious powers, do you ever venture for to call Miss Mountain by such a name? Miss Mountain, the purest of her sex!'
“'The purest of her sex! Can I trust my own ears?' asks Madam, turning very pale.
“'I mean that if a man would question her honour, I would fling him out of window,' says I.
“'You mean that you—your mother's son—are actually paying honourable attention to this young person?'
“'He would never dare to offer any other,' cries my Fanny; 'nor any woman but you, madam, to think so!'
“'Oh, I didn't know, miss!' says mother, dropping her a fine curtsey, 'I didn't know the honour you were doing our family! You propose to marry with us, do you? Do I understand Captain Warrington aright, that he intends to offer me Miss Mountain as a daughter-in-law?'
“''Tis to be seen, madam, that I have no protector, or you would not insult me so!' cries my poor victim.