He had never danced so much with Miss Gertrude before, that is
to say, at a great ball like this at which there was a plenty of bucks
with good blood and lots of money; and indeed, it seemed to favour the
idea of his success that Aunt Rebecca acknowledged him only with a
silent and by no means gracious courtesy.
She was talking to Toole about Lilias, and saying how much better she
had looked that evening.
'She's not better, Ma'am; I'd rather she hadn't the bright flush you
speak of, there's something, you see, not quite right in that left lung,
and that bright tint, Madam, is hectic--she's not better, Madam, not
that we don't hope to see her so--Heaven forbid--but 'tis an anxious
case;' and Toole shook his head gravely.
When Aunt Becky was getting on her hood and mantle, she invariably fell
into talk with some crony who had a story to tell, or a point to
discuss. So as she stood listening to old Colonel Bligh's hard, reedy
gabble, and popping in her decisive word now and then, Gertrude,
equipped for the night air, and with little Puddock for her escort,
glided out and took her place in the great state coach of the
Chattesworths, and the door being shut, she made a little nod and a
faint smile to her true knight, and said with the slightest possible
shrug--
'How cold it is to-night; my aunt, I think, will be obliged for your
assistance, Lieutenant Puddock; as for me, I must shut up my window and
wish you good-night.
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