And what mischief have you been about--eh? What mischief
have you been about, I say, young gentlewoman? Turning all the pretty
fellows' heads, I warrant you--eh!--turning their heads?' And he used to
talk this sort of talk very slowly, and to hold their hands all the
while, and even after this talk was exhausted, and grin sleepily, and
wag his head, looking with a glittering, unpleasant gaze in their faces
all the time. But at present we are all at dinner, in the midst of the
row which even the best bred people, assembled in sufficient numbers,
will make over that meal.
Devereux could not help seeing pretty Lilias over the way, who was
listening to handsome Mervyn, as it seemed, with interest, and talking
also her pleasant little share. He was no dunce, that Mervyn, nor much
of a coxcomb, and certainly no clown, Devereux thought; but as fine a
gentleman, to speak honestly, and as handsome, as well dressed, and as
pleasant to listen to, with that sweet low voice and piquant smile, as
any. Besides he could draw, and had more yards of French and English
verses by rote than Aunt Becky owned of Venetian lace and satin ribbons,
and was more of a scholar than he.
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