CHAPTER THE TWELFTH.
As Hartley left the apartment in the house of Ram Sing Cottah by one
mode of exit, Miss Gray retired by another, to an apartment destined for
her private use. She, too, had reason for secret and anxious reflection,
since all her love for Middlemas, and her full confidence in his honour,
could not entirely conquer her doubts concerning the character of the
person whom he had chosen for her temporary protectress. And yet she
could not rest these doubts upon any thing distinctly conclusive; it was
rather a dislike of her patroness's general manners, and a disgust at
her masculine notions and expressions, that displeased her, than any
thing else.
Meantime, Madame Montreville, followed by her black domestic, entered
the apartment where Hartley and Menie had just parted. It appeared from
the conversation which follows, that they had from some place of
concealment overheard the dialogue we have narrated in the former
chapter.
"It is good luck, Sadoc," said the lady, "that there is in this world
the great fool."
"And the great villain," answered Sadoc, in good English, but in a most
sullen tone.
"This woman, now," continued the lady, "is what in Frangistan you call
an angel."
"Ay, and I have seen those in Hindostan you may well call devil."
"I am sure that this--how you call him--Hartley, is a meddling devil.
For what has he to do? She will not have any of him.
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