"A regular little romance, I declare," said madame, laying off her black
bonnet, and fanning herself languidly, "quite a little romance.
"_Vincent's_ boy! no wonder he is so handsome; no wonder I was so
attracted toward him. Vincent was a little wild, but very likely that
young thing did _her_ part of the courting. She is very handsome, and,
with a little instruction under other circumstances--with a little
instruction from me, I say, she would be quite presentable in society.
"It is very odd she would not give up Charley. I thought that style of
people were always glad to get rid of their children; in fact, I think
it her _duty_ not to stand in the child's light. She is a Puritanical
little puss, and quite queenly, too, for a Magdalen. I was quite dashed,
as one may say, once or twice, by her manner, although I pride myself on
my self-possession. She is really quite superior to her station; but
Vincent, dear boy, always had indisputable taste; there never was a
taint of grossness about him.
"He was very fastidious. I remember I put off his father's funeral one
whole day, in order that the tailor might alter the coat-collar of his
new mourning-suit. Yes, and he was so sensitive, too, poor dear! he felt
his father's death so much that he was obliged to go directly from the
grave to the club-house, to dissipate his mournful thoughts.
"Ah! Anne, is that you? sit down; I have just returned. Do you know, the
mother of that baby refused to give him up. She says it is one of our
Vincent's children. She is a very pretty young woman, Anne--not a
high-bred beauty, of course; that you never see, except in aristocratic
circles, still, she is quite pretty."
"Very," replied Anne, quite nonchalantly.
"Ha! you have seen her, then?" asked madame, with some surprise.
"My dear madame, I really would prefer saying nothing upon the subject.
I answered your first question frankly, because I make it a point never
to deceive you; but I really wish you would not question me, I dislike
so much to speak ill of any one."
"But I insist upon knowing, Anne; in fact, I think it is quite unkind of
you to have any secrets from me, so long as you have been in my
confidence, too."
"Ah, well, dear madame, if you insist, I suppose I must yield, for I can
refuse you nothing. The person you have been to see this morning is an
arrant impostor. She is playing a deep game with you; her refusal is not
sincere; she expects you will return and persist in asking for Charley,
and intends then to make money out of the operation."
"Well, she is very much mistaken, then," said the old lady, indignant,
as easily duped people are, who always fancy themselves a match for any
double and twisted diplomatist, "very much mistaken, for I shall never
go near her again. Then that story was all trumped up she told me about
the baby being our Vincent's."
"Certainly," said Anne; "I tell you, my dear madame, she has played that
game on several people beside you."
"Possible?" said the old lady, fanning herself violently; "the impudent
little baggage! But how did you find it all out, Annie?"
"Ah! there, you must really excuse me, my dear madame. My informant is
so afraid of being involved, that I was sworn to the strictest secrecy
on that point, but, I assure you, my authority is reliable."
"I have no doubt of it, my dear Anne, if _you_ say so. But why did you
not speak of it before?"
"Well, that was my first impulse, of course; but you see how it was. I
was placed in very delicate circumstances, dear madame. Here I am a
dependent on your bounty; you have been always like a kind mother to me;
your heart was set on adopting this child; had I opposed it, you might
have suspected my motives; that thought was too painful for me; and so,
up to this time, when you extorted it from me, I have been
vacillating," and Anne looked lachrymose.
"You dear, good creature," exclaimed madame, "you always had the best
heart in the world. You should not have tortured yourself so
unnecessarily, Anne. You know I never would imagine you guilty of such
mean motives. You may have my brown silk dress, Anne, and the dark blue
brocade. I had never worn either when I was called into mourning. I
declare, Anne, you have the best heart in the world. You need not blush
about it, child," said madame, as Anne covered her face with her
handkerchief to conceal a laugh. "You are too modest by half, Anne; but
it is always so with real merit."
"What an invaluable creature that Anne is," exclaimed madame, as she
went out of the door in pursuit of the brown silk. "To think of the
brazen-facedness of that young woman! I declare I could not have
believed any body could tell a lie with such an innocent face. It is
really almost past belief; what an invaluable creature Anne is. I never
should be able to get along without her. I must go to Mme. Descomb's and
select her a new dress hat. Just to think now of the impudence of that
Rose.
"I must furnish Anne with means to go on some little excursion. I think
I will buy her that pretty music-box I saw yesterday.
"How wide awake Anne is to my interests! Had it not been for her I
might have been taken in by that scheming young woman. I hope nobody saw
me go to her house; I must warn Chloe against her, it will not do for
her to go there again."