'
'Has Alethea a right to be called an old friend?' said Emily; 'does
three quarters of a year make friendship venerable?'
'No one can deny that she is a tried friend,' said Lilias.
'But pray, good people,' said Claude, 'what called forth those vows
of eternal constancy? why was my innocent general observation
construed into an attack upon Miss Weston?'
'Because there is something invidious in your tone,' said Lily.
'What kind of girl is that Florence?' asked William.
'Oh! a nice, lively, pleasant girl,' said Claude.
'I cannot make out what her pursuits are,' said Lily; 'Rotherwood
never talks of her reading anything.'
'She has been governessed and crammed till she is half sick of all
reading,' said Claude, 'of all study--ay, and all accomplishments.'
'So that is the friend you recommend, Lily!' said William.
'Well, Claude, that is what I call a great shame,' said Emily.
'Stay,' said Claude, 'you have heard but half my story, I say that
this is the reaction. Florence has no lack of sense, and if you
young ladies are wise, you may help her to find the use of it.'
Claude's further opinion did not transpire, as dinner was announced,
and nothing more was said about Lady Florence till the girls had an
opportunity of judging for themselves.
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