The weather grew too cold for the drawing-lessons
under the elms, and there could be no more appointments made between
Miss Dunbar and her enthusiastic instructor.
"I can't have my young lady ketch cold, Sir Philip, for all the
perspectives in the world," said the faithful Elizabeth. "I spoke to her
par about it only the other day; but, lor'! you may just as well speak
to a post as to Mr. Dunbar. If Miss Laura comes out in the park now, she
must wrap herself up warm, and walk fast, and not go getting the cold
shivers for the sake of drawing a parcel of stumps of trees and
such-like tomfoolery."
Mrs. Madden made this observation in rather an unpleasant tone of voice
one morning when the baronet pleaded for another drawing-lesson. The
truth of the matter was that Elizabeth Madden felt some slight pangs of
conscience with regard to her own part in this sudden friendship which
had arisen between Laura Dunbar and Philip Jocelyn. She felt that she
had been rather remiss in her duties as duenna, and was angry with
herself. But stronger than this feeling of self-reproach was her
indignation against Sir Philip.
Why did he not immediately make an offer of his hand to Laura Dunbar?
Mrs. Madden had expected the young man's proposal every day for the last
few weeks: every day she had been doomed to disappointment.
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