u, now?" ejaculated Mrs Jane Talbot.

"I am sure I don't know, Jane," responded her sister, in querulous
tones. "You are always talking about something. I never can tell how
you manage to keep continually talking, in the way you do. I could not
bear it. I never was a talker; I haven't breath for it, with my poor
chest,--such a perpetual rattle,--I don't know how you stand it, I'm
sure. And to think what a beautiful singer I was once! Young Sir
Samuel Dennis once said I entranced him, when he had heard my singing to
Mrs Lucy's spinnet--positively entranced him! And Lord James
Morehurst--"

"An unmitigated donkey!" slid in Mrs Jane.

"Jane, how you do talk! One can't get in a word for you. What was I
saying, Clarissa?"

"You were speaking of Lord James Morehurst, dear Marcella. 'Tis all
very well for Jane to run him down," said Mrs Vane in a languishing
style, fanning herself as she spoke, "but I am sure he was the most
charming black man I ever saw. He once paid me such a compliment on my
fine eyes!"

"More jackanapes he!" came from Mrs Jane.

"Well, I don't believe he ever paid you such an one," said Mrs
Clarissa, pettishly.

"He'd have got his ears boxed if he had," returned Mrs Jane. "The
impudence of some of those fellows!"

"Poor dear Jane! she never had any taste," sighed Mrs Marcella. "I
protest, Clarissa, I am quite pleased to hear this news. As much
pleased, you know, as a poor suffering creature like me can be. But I
think Mrs Rhoda has done extreme well. Mr Welles is of a good stock
and an easy fortune, and he has the sweetest taste in dress."

"Birds of a feather!" muttered Mrs Jane. "Ay, I knew what Mark-Me-Well
was after. Told you so from the first. I marked him, be sure."

"I suppose he has three thousand a year?" inquired Mrs Clarissa.

"Guineas--very like. Not brains--trust me!" said Mrs Jane.

"And an estate?" pursued Mrs Clarissa, with languid interest.

"Oh dear, yes!" chimed in the invalid; "I would have told you about it,
if Jane could ever hold her tongue. Such a--"

"I've done," observed Mrs Jane, marching off.

"Oh, my dear Clarissa, you can have no conception of what I suffer!"
resumed Mrs Marcella, sinking down to a confidential tone. "I love
quiet above all things, and Jane's tongue is never still. Ah! if I
could go to the wedding, as I used to do! I was at all the grand
weddings in the county when I was a young maid. I couldn't tell you how
many tim