She didn't
gnash her teeth, and curse and swear, and declare to me that I was a
child of perdition."
"What do you mean by cursing and swearing?"
"She told me once that if I bought a certain little dog, it would
lead to my being everlastingly--you know what. She isn't so squeamish
as I am, and said it out."
"What did you do?"
"I bought the little dog, and it bit my aunt's heel. I was very sorry
then, and gave the creature to Mary Rivers. He was such a beauty! I
hope the perdition has gone with him, for I don't like Mary Rivers
at all. I had to give the poor beasty to somebody, and Mary Rivers
happened to be there. I told her that Puck was connected with
Apollyon, but she didn't mind that. Puck was worth twenty guineas,
and I daresay she has sold him."
"Oswald may have an equal chance then among the other favourites?"
said Lady Laura, after another pause.
"There are no favourites, and I will not say that any man may have a
chance. Why do you press me about your brother in this way?"
"Because I am so anxious. Because it would save him. Because you are
the only woman for whom he has ever cared, and because he loves you
with all his heart; and because his father would be reconciled to him
to-morrow if he heard that you and he were engaged.
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