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Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan, 1814-1873

"Uncle Silas A Tale of Bartram-Haugh"

'
'I know no such thing; and you don't think it, _you_ hussy, and I really
don't care who likes me or who doesn't, except my relations; and I make the
lord a present to you, if you'll have him.'
In this strain were we talking when he re-entered the room, a little sooner
than we had expected to see him.
Milly, who, you are to recollect, was only in process of reformation, and
still retained something of the Derbyshire dairymaid, gave me a little
clandestine pinch on the arm just as he made his appearance.
'I just refused a present from her,' said odious Milly, in answer to his
enquiring look, 'because I knew she could not spare it.'
The effect of all this was that I blushed one of my overpowering blushes.
People told me they became me very much; I hope so, for the misfortune was
frequent; and I think nature owed me that compensation.
'It places you both in a most becoming light,' said Lord Ilbury, quite
innocently. 'I really don't know which most to admire--the generosity of
the offer or of the refusal.'
'Well, it _was_ kind, if you but knew. I'm 'most tempted to tell him,' said
Milly.


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