And my
people tell me that your brother Dudley has been seen drinking and smoking
about Feltram this week. How long does he remain at home? Not very long,
eh? And, Maud, dear, he has not been making love to you? Well, I see; of
course he has. And _apropos_ of love-making, I hope that impudent creature,
Charles Oakley, has not been teasing you with notes or verses.'
'Indeed but he has though,' interposed Miss Milly; a good deal to my
chagrin, for I saw no particular reason for placing his verses in Cousin
Monica's hands. So I confessed the two little copies of verses, with the
qualification, however, that I did not know from whom they came.
'Well now, dear Maud, have not I told you fifty times over to have nothing
to say to him? I've found out, my dear, he plays, and he is very much in
debt. I've made a vow to pay no more for him. I've been such a fool, you
have no notion; and I'm speaking, you know, against myself; it would be
such a relief if he were to find a wife to support him; and he has been,
I'm told, very sweet upon a rich old maid--a button-maker's sister, in
Manchester.'
This arrow was well shot.
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