human
But Miss Etherage is hardly the kind of person--is she?--whom a young man of fashion, such as I suppose young Mr. Verney to be, would think of. She must have been very much shut up with her old father, at that quiet little place of his,
gpt
Shut up, miss! Oh, dear me! Nothing of _that_ sort, miss. She is out with her sister, Miss Charity, every day, about the schools, and the Sunday classes, and the lending library, and the clothing charity, and all them things; very good of _her_, you know. I often say to her--'I _wonder_, Miss Agnes--that's her name--you're not _tired_ with all your walks; I do, indeed;' and she only laughs. She has a very pretty laugh too, she has; and as Mr. Cleve said to me once--that's two years ago, now--the first year he was spoke of in Cardyllian about her. We did think then there was something to be, and now it is all on again, and the old people--as we may call them--is well pleased it should.
human
Yes, but I mean that Miss Etherage has seen nothing of the world--nothing of society, except what is to be met with at Hazelden--isn't that the name of the place?--and in her little excursions into this town. Isn't it so?
gpt
Oh, no!--bless you, no. Miss Agnes Etherage--they pay visits--she and her sister--at all the great houses; a week here, and a fortnight there, round the two counties, this side and the other. She's a great favourite, is Miss Agnes. She can play and sing, dear me, very nice, she can: I have _heard_ her. You would _wonder_ now, what a bright little thing she is.
human
But even so. I don't think that town-bred young men ever care much for country-bred young ladies. Not that they mayn't be a great deal better; but, somehow, they don't suit, I think--they don't get on.
gpt
But, mark you this, said Mrs. Jones.
human
He always liked her. We always saw he liked her. There's property too--a good estate; and all goes to them two girls; and Miss Charity, we all know, will never marry; no more will the Admiral--I mean Mr. Etherage himself--with them legs of his; and Mr. Kiffyn--Master Cleve's uncle--spoke to our lawyer here once about it, as if it was a thing he would like--that the Hazelden property should be joined to the Ware estate.
gpt
Joined together in holy wedlock, laughed Miss Sheckleton; but she was not particularly cheerful. And some more intending purchasers coming in and seizing upon the communicative Mrs. Jones, who had only time to whisper,
human
They do say--them that _should_ know--that it will be in spring next; but I'm not to tell; so you'll please remember it's a secret.
gpt
Shall we go, dear? whispered Miss Sheckleton to her muffled companion, who forthwith rose and accompanied her from the shop, followed by the eyes of Mrs. Jones's new visitors, who were more interested on hearing that