"The child by all means, and the excellent woman too." "Not if it's Miss Florinda Beverley!" interposed Mrs.Joyce (who had read the Circus placard).

"Florinda, indeed! Jezebel would be a better name for her!" "My dear Madam, it isn't Florinda," cried Valentine, eagerly.

"I quite agree with you; her name ought to be Jezebel.

And, what's worse, her legs are out of drawing." "Mr.Blyth!!!" exclaimed Mrs.Joyce, indignant at this professional criticism on Jezebel's legs.
"Why don't you tell us at once who the excellent woman is ?" cried the doctor, secretly tickled by the allusion which had shocked his wife.
"Her name's Peckover," said Valentine; "she's a respectable married woman; she doesn't ride in the circus at all; and she nursed the poor child by her mother's own wish." "We shall be delighted to see her to-morrow," said the warm-hearted rector--"or, no--stop! Not to-morrow; I shall be out.

The day after.
Cake and cowslip wine for the deaf and dumb child at twelve o'clock--eh, my dear ?" "That's right! God bless you! you're always kindness itself," cried Valentine; "I'll find out Mrs.Peckover, and let her know.