CHAPTER X. THE CHURCH

fieldneither,ofcourse,hadheofferedmehisassistance(Ishouldnothaveacceptedit,ifhehad),butaslongasthedoorremainedopenhehadstoodsmirkingandchattingwiththem,andthenliftedhishatanddepartedtohisownabode:butIhadscarcelynoticedhimallthetime.Mycompanions,however,hadbeenmoreobservantand,aswerolledalong,theydiscussedbetweenthemnotonlyhislooks,words,andactions,buteveryfeatureofhisface,andeveryarticleofhisapparel. “Youshan’thavehimalltoyourself,Rosalie,”saidMissMatildaatthecloseofthisdiscussion“Ilikehim:Iknowhe’dmakeanice,jollycompanionforme.” “Well,you’requitewelcometohim,Matilda,”repliedhersister,inatoneofaffectedindifference. “AndI’msure,”continuedtheother,“headmiresmequiteasmuchashedoesyoudoesn’the,MissGrey?” “Idon’tknowI’mnotacquaintedwithhissentiments.” “Well,buthedoesthough.” “MydearMatilda!nobodywilleveradmireyoutillyougetridofyourrough,awkwardmanners.” “Oh,stuff!HarryMelthamlikessuchmannersandsodopapa’sfriends.” “Well,youmaycaptivateoldmen,andyoungersonsbutnobodyelse,Iamsure,willevertakeafancytoyou.” “Idon’tcare:I’mnotalwaysgrabbingaftermoney,likeyouandmamma.Ifmyhusbandisabletokeepafewgoodhorsesanddogs,Ishallbequitesatisfiedandalltherestmaygotothedevil!” “Well,ifyouusesuchshockingexpressions,I’msurenorealgentlemanwilleverventuretocomenearyou.Really,MissGrey,youshouldnotletherdoso.” “Ican’tpossiblypreventit,MissMurray.” “Andyou’requitemistaken,Matilda,insupposingthatHarryMelthamadmiresyou:Iassureyouhedoesnothingofthekind.” Matildawasbeginninganangryreplybut,happily,ourjourneywasnowatanendandthecontentionwascutshortbythefootmanopeningthecarriage-door,andlettingdownthestepsforourdescent.