I am tired of the dull dinners, and of mamma's peevish
complaints about Ann Woolper's ascendancy downstairs; and of Mr.
Sheldon's perpetual newspapers, that crackle, crackle, crackle all the
evening through; and _such_ papers!--_Money Market Monitor, Stockholder's
Vade-Mecum_, and all sorts of dreadful things of that kind, with not so
much as an interesting advertisement in one of them. I used never to feel
these things an annoyance, you know, dear, till I made the acquaintance
of my nerves; but from the moment I allowed my nerves to get the better
of me, all these trifles have worried and excruciated me. But I am happy
with you, darling; and I am happy with Valentine. Poor Valentine!"
She pronounced his name with a sigh; and then, after a pause, repeated
mournfully, "Poor Valentine!"
"Why do you speak of him so sadly, dear?" asked Diana, very pale.
"Because--because we have planned such a happy life together, dear,
and--"
"Is that a thing to be sad about, darling?"
"And--if it should happen, after all, that we have to part, and he go on
alone, the world may seem so sad and lonely to him."
"Charlotte!" cried Diana, with a laugh that was almost choked by a sob,
"is this looking your nerves in the face? Why, my dear one, this is
indeed plagiarism of your mamma's low spirits. Lotta, you shall have
change of air; yes, I am determined on that.
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