'It was once a _dear_ little pig, and we wanted to teach it to take exercise by running after us when we went out, but the stepmother, like Bunyan, "penned it"-- '"Until at last it came to be, For length and breadth, the bigness which you see."' More than once he saw Madge's quick wit twinkle through her booklore.
When he was looking ruefully at a turkey by no means neatly carved, she gave the comforting suggestion, '"'Tis impious in a good man to be sad."' 'I thought it one of the evidences of piety.' 'It is true that he was "Young" who said it, but so are we; let us believe it fervently.' When Madge swept across the drawing-room, with her amber skirts trailing, and Eliz had been wheeled in, they received the after-dinner visitors.

Courthope could almost see the room filled with the quaint creations to whom they were both bowing and talking incessantly.
'Mr.Courthope--Miss Jane Fairfax--I believe you have met before.' Madge's voice dropped in a well-feigned absorption in her next guest; but she soon found time again to whisper to him a long speech which Miss Bates had made to Eliz.

Soon afterwards she came flying to him in the utmost delight to repeat what she called a "lovely sneap" which Lady G---- had given to Mrs.Elton; nor did she forget to tell him that Emma Woodhouse was explaining to the Portuguese nun her reasons for deciding never to marry.

'Out of sheer astonishment she appears to become quite tranquillised,' said Madge, as if relating an important fact.
His curiosity concerning this nun grew apace, for she seemed a favourite with both the girls.
When it was near midnight the imaginary pageant suddenly came to an end, as in all cases of enchantment.

Eliz grew tired; one of the lamps smoked and had to be extinguished; the fire had burned low.