I have not heard you
mention young Vincent for many a day--perhaps he has not been out of
mouth and out of mind both. Have you been so foolish as to let him
speak to you seriously?--I am told he is a bold youth."
"Not bold enough to say any thing that could displease me, madam,"
said Margaret.
"Perhaps, then, you were _not_ displeased," said the lady; "or perhaps
he has not _spoken_, which would be wiser and better. Be open-hearted,
my love--your godfather will soon return, and we will take him into
our consultations. If the young man is industrious, and come of honest
parentage, his poverty may be no such insurmountable obstacle. But you
are both of you very young, Margaret--I know your godfather will
expect, that the youth shall first serve out his apprenticeship."
Margaret had hitherto suffered the lady to proceed, under the mistaken
impression which she had adopted, simply because she could not tell
how to interrupt her; but pure despite at hearing her last words gave
her boldness at length to say "I crave your pardon, madam; but neither
the youth you mention, nor any apprentice or master within the city of
London--"
"Margaret," said the lady, in reply, "the contemptuous tone with which
you mention those of your own class, (many hundreds if not thousands
of whom are in all respects better than yourself, and would greatly
honour you by thinking of you,) is methinks, no warrant for the wisdom
of your choice--for a choice, it seems, there is.
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