She resolved that people, when they discovered what they inevitably soon must discover, should not suppose that she had been deceived.

So, looking straight into Fanny Newt's eyes without flinching--and somehow it was not a look of profound affection--she said, "I was not aware of any such engagement." "Indeed!" replied the undaunted Fanny, "I have heard that love is blind, but I did not know that it was true of maternal love.

Mr.Dinks's mother is not his confidante, then, I presume ?" The bad passions of Mr.Dinks's mother's heart were like the heathen, and furiously raged together at this remark.

She continued the fanning, and said, with a sickly smile, "Miss Newt, you can contradict from me the report of any such engagement." That was enough.

Fanny was mistress of the position.