human
Yes, indeed she was; I never stir anywhere without my sweet Lily. Lily of the valley, I call her sometimes. My precious child! You see, Lord Evelyn, she was brought up in England, and for years I never saw her once. And I shall so soon have to part with her again!
gpt
How is that?
human
Oh, Lord Evelyn, you nearly upset the boat! These punts are so insecure! Only a plank between us and death. You see, I can't expect her to live with me always. She will marry. Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and the same applies to a woman. I would not have her remain single all her life in order to be near me,
gpt
Oh, I see. For the moment I thought you meant that--that something was already settled.
human
No, said Mrs. Murchison;
gpt
You are not a mother, Lord Evelyn, she went on,
human
I wonder,
gpt
So like the Nile, said Mrs. Murchison diplomatically, giving it to be understood that the conversation was still quite general.
human
But the mysteries of a maiden's heart, Lord Evelyn! she sighed.
gpt
Lily takes after me; as a child, I was so mysterious that nobody thought I should live.
human
Miss Murchison is not delicate?
gpt
Dear me, no! most indelicate. Her health never gave me a moment's anxiety since she left her cradle. But she is very reticent about some things, and very thoughtful. When I was a child I used to fall in love a hundred times a day; it may have been Vanderbilt or a postman, and I used to put down their initials in a little green morocco pocket-book; but I never used to tell anyone about it, just like Lily. But you can see by her forehead how thoughtful she is, like Marie Antoinette. Doesn't Tennyson speak of the 'bar of Marie Antoinette'? She has it most marked above the eyes.
human
In Memoriam
gpt
Thoughtful and pensive, said Mrs. Murchison.
human
Dear child! how she looked forward to coming down here! And so gay at times. And never, Lord Evelyn, said Mrs. Muchison very earnestly,
gpt
Yes, if I could see her nicely married to some such man, said Mrs. Murchison, growing bolder.
human
I should be content to lie like some glorious Milton in a country churchyard. Dear me, how lovely the river is, and so like the Nile! Well, I suppose we must be going back; it should be near tea-time. I have so enjoyed my little excursion with you, Lord Toby--I beg your pardon, Lord Evelyn; and what a pleasant chat we have had, to be sure!