"
"How is this, my dear?" said Mrs. Montreville, with unruffled front, to
Menie, as she entered; "are you not gone out for two or three days, as I
tell this gentleman?--_mais c'est egal_--it is all one thing. You will
say, How d'ye do, and good-bye, to Monsieur, who is so polite as to come
to ask after our healths, and as he sees us both very well, he will go
away home again."
"I believe, madam," said Miss Gray, with appearance of effort, "that I
must speak with this gentleman for a few minutes in private, if you will
permit me."
"That is to say, get you gone? but I do not allow that--I do not like
private conversation between young man and pretty young woman; _cela
n'est pas honnete_. It cannot be in my house."
"It may be out of it, then, madam," answered Miss Gray, not pettishly
nor pertly, but with the utmost simplicity.--"Mr. Hartley, will you step
into that garden?--and, you, madam, may observe us from the window, if
it be the fashion of the country to watch so closely."
As she spoke this she stepped through a lattice-door into the garden,
and with an air so simple, that she seemed as if she wished to comply
with her patroness's ideas of decorum, though they appeared strange to
her. The Queen of Sheba, notwithstanding her natural assurance, was
disconcerted by the composure of Miss Gray's manner, and left the room,
apparently in displeasure. Menie turned back to the door which opened
into the garden, and said in the same manner as before, but with less
nonchalance,--
"I am sure I would not willingly break through the rules of a foreign
country; but I cannot refuse myself the pleasure of speaking to so old
a friend,--if indeed," she added, pausing and looking at Hartley, who was
much embarrassed, "it be as much pleasure to Mr.
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