Brownlow is so cut up about Janet."
"Ah! youth is so sweetly unconscious. It is well that there are
those who are bound to watch for your interests, my dear."
"I can't think what you mean."
"I will not disturb your happy innocence, my love. It is enough for
your uncle and me to be awake, to counteract any machinations. Ah! I
see your astonishment! You are so simple, my dear child, and you
have been studiously kept in the dark."
"I can't think what you are driving at," said Elvira, impatiently.
"Mrs. Brownlow would never let any harm happen to me, nor Allen
either. Do let me go."
"One moment, my darling. I must love you through all, and you will
know your true friends one day. Are you-—let me ask the question out
of my deep, almost maternal, solicitude-—are you engaged to Mr.
Brownlow?"
"Of course I am!"
"Of course, as you say. Most ingenuous! Ah? well, may it not be too
late!"
"Don't be so horrid, Lisette! Allen is not half a bad fellow, and
frightfully in love with me."
"Exactly, my dear unsuspicious dove. There! I see you are impatient.
You will know the truth soon enough. One kiss, for your mother's
sake."
But Elvira broke from her, and rejoined Allen.
"I have sounded the child," said Lisette to her husband that evening,
"and she is quite in the dark, though the very servants in the house
are better informed.
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