And as for Mr.
Chevenix, he--' 'Always sits with Miss Flora ?' I interrupted.

'And they talk of poor St.
Ives?
I had gathered as much, my dear; and Mr.Ducie has come to prevent it! But pray dismiss these fears! I mind no one but your aunt.' 'Why my aunt ?' 'Because your aunt is a lady, my dear, and a very clever lady, and, like all clever ladies, a very rash lady,' said I.

'You can never count upon them, unless you are sure of getting them in a corner, as I have got you, and talking them over rationally, as I am just engaged on with yourself! It would be quite the same to your aunt to make the worst kind of a scandal, with an equal indifference to my danger and to the feelings of our good host!' 'Well,' she said, 'and what of Ronald, then?
Do you think _he_ is above making a scandal?
You must know him very little!' 'On the other hand, it is my pretension that I know him very well!' I replied.

'I must speak to Ronald first--not Ronald to me--that is all!' 'Then, please, go and speak to him at once!' she pleaded.

He is there--do you see ?--at the upper end of the room, talking to that girl in pink.' 'And so lose this seat before I have told you my good news ?' I exclaimed.
'Catch me! And, besides, my dear one, think a little of me and my good news! I thought the bearer of good news was always welcome! I hoped he might be a little welcome for himself! Consider! I have but one friend; and let me stay by her! And there is only one thing I care to hear; and let me hear it!' 'Oh, Anne,' she sighed, 'if I did not love you, why should I be so uneasy?
I am turned into a coward, dear! Think, if it were the other way round--if you were quite safe and I was in, oh, such danger!' She had no sooner said it than I was convicted of being a dullard.