"A strange business this in America, Dr.
Grant! What is your opinion?
I always come to you to know what I am to think of public matters." "My dear Tom," cried his aunt soon afterwards, "as you are not dancing, I dare say you will have no objection to join us in a rubber; shall you ?" Then leaving her seat, and coming to him to enforce the proposal, added in a whisper, "We want to make a table for Mrs.Rushworth, you know.

Your mother is quite anxious about it, but cannot very well spare time to sit down herself, because of her fringe.

Now, you and I and Dr.
Grant will just do; and though _we_ play but half-crowns, you know, you may bet half-guineas with _him_." "I should be most happy," replied he aloud, and jumping up with alacrity, "it would give me the greatest pleasure; but that I am this moment going to dance." Come, Fanny, taking her hand, "do not be dawdling any longer, or the dance will be over." Fanny was led off very willingly, though it was impossible for her to feel much gratitude towards her cousin, or distinguish, as he certainly did, between the selfishness of another person and his own.
"A pretty modest request upon my word," he indignantly exclaimed as they walked away.

"To want to nail me to a card-table for the next two hours with herself and Dr.Grant, who are always quarrelling, and that poking old woman, who knows no more of whist than of algebra.

I wish my good aunt would be a little less busy! And to ask me in such a way too! without ceremony, before them all, so as to leave me no possibility of refusing.