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to trill of the most heartfelt； high…pitched； clear and
fairy…sounding merriment。
'You must not be offended；' she said at last； catching an
opportunity between two paroxysms。 'If you have been
mistaken in the warmth of your attentions； the fault is
solely mine； it does not flow from your presumption； but from
my eccentric manner of recruiting friends； and； believe me； I
am the last person in the world to think the worse of a young
man for showing spirit。 As for to…night； it is my intention
to entertain you to a little supper； and if I shall continue
to be as much pleased with your manners as I was taken with
your face； I may perhaps end by making you an advantageous
offer。'
Somerset sought in vain to find some form of answer； but his
discomfiture had been too recent and complete。
'Come；' returned the lady； 'we must have no display of
temper； that is for me the one disqualifying fault； and as I
perceive we are drawing near our destination； I shall ask you
to descend and offer me your arm。'
Indeed； at that very moment the carriage drew up before a
stately and severe mansion in a spacious square； and
Somerset； who was possessed of an excellent temper； with the
best grace in the world assisted the lady to alight。 The
door was opened by an old woman of a grim appearance； who
ushered the pair into a dining…room somewhat dimly lighted；
but already laid for supper； and occupied by a prodigious
company of large and valuable cats。 Here； as soon as they
were alone； the lady divested herself of the lace in which
she was enfolded； and Somerset was relieved to find； that
although still bearing the traces of great beauty； and still
distinguished by the fire and colour of her eye； her hair was
of a silvery whiteness and her face lined with years。
'And now； MON PREUX；' said the old lady； nodding at him with
a quaint gaiety； 'you perceive that I am no longer in my
first youth。 You will soon find that I am all the better
company for that。'
As she spoke； the maid re…entered the apartment with a light
but tasteful supper。 They sat down； accordingly； to table；
the cats with savage pantomime surrounding the old lady's
chair； and what with the excellence of the meal and the
gaiety of his entertainer； Somerset was soon completely at
his ease。 When they had well eaten and drunk； the old lady
leaned back in her chair； and taking a cat upon her lap；
subjected her guest to a prolonged but evidently mirthful
scrutiny。
'I fear； madam；' said Somerset； 'that my manners have not
risen to the height of your preconceived opinion。'
'My dear young man；' she replied； 'you were never more
mistaken in your life。 I find you charming； and you may very
well have lighted on a fairy godmother。 I am not one of
those who are given to change their opinions； and short of
substantial demerit； those who have once gained my favour
continue to enjoy it； but I have a singular swiftness of
decision； read my fellow men and women with a glance； and
have acted throughout life on first impressions。 Yours； as I
tell you； has been favourable； and if； as I suppose； you are
a young fellow of somewhat idle habits； I think it not
improbable that we may strike a bargain。'
'Ah； madam；' returned Somerset； 'you have divined my
situation。 I am a man of birth； parts； and breeding；
excellent company； or at least so I find myself； but by a
peculiar iniquity of fate； destitute alike of trade or money。
I was； indeed； this evening upon the quest of an adventure；
resolved to close with any offer of interest； emolument； or
pleasure； and your summons； which I profess I am still at
some loss to understand； jumped naturally with the
inclination of my mind。 Call it； if you will； impudence； I
am here； at least； prepared for any proposition you can find
it in your heart to make； and resolutely determined to
accept。'
'You express yourself very well；' replied the old lady； 'and
are certainly a droll and curious young man。 I should not
care to affirm that you were sane； for I have never found any
one entirely so besides myself； but at least the nature of
your madness entertains me； and I will reward you with some
description of my character and life。'
Thereupon the old lady； still fondling the cat upon her lap；
proceeded to narrate the following particulars。
NARRATIVE OF THE SPIRITED OLD LADY
I WAS the eldest daughter of the Reverend Bernard Fanshawe；
who held a valuable living in the diocese of Bath and Wells。
Our family； a very large one； was noted for a sprightly and
incisive wit； and came of a good old stock where beauty was
an heirloom。 In Christian grace of character we were
unhappily deficient。 From my earliest years I saw and
deplored the defects of those relatives whose age and
position should have enabled them to conquer my esteem； and
while I was yet a child； my father married a second wife； in
whom （strange to say） the Fanshawe failings were exaggerated
to a monstrous and almost laughable degree。 Whatever may be
said against me； it cannot be denied I was a pattern
daughter； but it was in vain that； with the most touching
patience； I submitted to my stepmother's demands； and from
the hour she entered my father's house； I may say that I met
with nothing but injustice and ingratitude。
I stood not alone； however； in the sweetness of my
disposition； for one other of the family besides myself was
free from any violence of character。 Before I had reached
the age of sixteen； this cousin； John by name； had conceived
for me a sincere but silent passion； and although the poor
lad was too timid to hint at the nature of his feelings； I
had soon divined and begun to share them。 For some days I
pondered on the odd situation created for me by the
bashfulness of my admirer； and at length； perceiving that he
began； in his distress； rather to avoid than seek my company；
I determined to take the matter into my own hands。 Finding
him alone in a retired part of the rectory garden； I told him
that I had divined his amiable secret； that I knew with what
disfavour our union was sure to be regarded； and that； under
the circumstances； I was prepared to flee with him at once。
Poor John was literally paralysed with joy； such was the
force of his emotions； that he could find no words in which
to thank me； and that I； seeing him thus helpless； was
obliged to arrange； myself； the details of our flight； and of
the stolen marriage which was immediately to crown it。 John
had been at that time projecting a visit to the metropolis。
In this I bade him persevere； and promised on the following
day to join him at the Tavistock Hotel。
True； on my side； to every detail of our arrangement； I
arose； on the day in question； before the servants； packed a
few necessaries in a bag； took with me the little money I
possessed； and bade farewell for ever to the rectory。 I
walked with good spirits to a town some thirty miles from
home； and was set down the next morning in this great city of
London。 As I walked from the coach…office to the hotel； I
could not help ex