My only
consolation is, that he will see the full deformity of the vice, as,
poor little fellow, he becomes acquainted with "that worst of
plagues, a prying maiden aunt." If Jane was simply curious, I should
not complain, but her love of investigation is not directed to what
ought to be known, but rather to find out some wretched subject for
petty scandal, to blacken every action, and to add to the weight of
every misdeed, and all for the sake of detailing her discoveries in
exchange for similar information with Mrs. Appleton, or some equally
suitable confidante.'
'Is that all?' said Lily.
'And enough, too, I hope,' said Claude.
'It ought to cure her!' cried Emily.
'Cure her!' said Claude, 'no such thing; cures are not wrought in
this way; this is only a joke, and to keep it up, I will tell you a
piece of news, which Jane must have spied out in my letter, as I had
just written it when I saw her eyes in a suspicious direction. It
was settled that Messieurs Maurice and Redgie are to go for two hours
a day, three times a week, to Mr. Stevens, during the holidays.'
'The new Stoney Bridge curate?' said Emily.
'I am very glad you are not to be bored by them,' said Lily, 'but how
they will dislike it!'
'It is very hard upon them,' said Claude, 'and I tried to prevent it,
but the Baron was quite determined.
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