It's a long story." Discovering that Mrs.Vandaleur was a family connection, and not a chance visitor from the neighbourhood, Mrs.O'Connor apologized for her remarks, and tried to extract the Duchess's history from Aunt Theresa then and there.

But Mrs.Buller would only promise to tell it "another time." "I'm dying with curiosity," said Mrs.O'Connor, as she took leave, "I shall run in to-morrow afternoon on purpose to hear all about it.

Can you do with me, dear Mrs.Buller ?" "Pray come," said Aunt Theresa warmly, with an amiable disregard of two engagements and some arrears of domestic business.
I was in the drawing-room next day when Mrs.O'Connor arrived.
"May I come in, dear Mrs.Buller ?" she said, "I won't stay two minutes; but I _must_ hear about the Duchess.

Now, _are_ you busy ?" "Not at all," said Aunt Theresa, who was in the midst of making up her tradesmen's books.

"Pray sit down, and take off your bonnet." "It's hardly worth while, for I _can't_ stay," said Mrs.O'Connor, taking her bonnet off, and setting it down so as not to crush the flowers.
As Mrs.O'Connor stayed two hours and a half, and as Aunt Theresa granted my request to be allowed to hear her narrative, I learnt a good deal of the history of my great-grandmother..