The girl's face brightened; she said little, but that little with very gracious smiles.
Then Mr.Vialls approached, and the _tete-a-tete_ was necessarily at an end.
When he was at length alone with his wife, the Mayor saw what was in store for him; in fact, he had foreseen it throughout the evening.
"Yes," began the lady, with flashing eyes, "this is your Mr.Glazzard! He encourages Serena in her shameful behaviour! I overheard him talking to her." "You are altogether wrong, as usual," replied Mr.Mumbray, with his wonted attempt at dignified self-assertion.

"Glazzard distinctly disapproves of Bawlzac, and everything of that kind.

His influence is as irreproachable as that of Mr.Vialls." "Of course! You are determined to overthrow my plans at whatever cost to your daughter's happiness here and hereafter." "I don't think Vialls a suitable husband for her, and I am not sorry she won't listen to him.

He's all very well as a man and a clergyman, but--pshaw! what's the good of arguing with a pig-headed woman ?" This emphatic epithet had the result which was to be expected.

The debate became a scolding match, lasting well into the night.