human
He has gone to be married; I suppose, he said something to us a long time ago about it, but he told it in a clouded kind of way; I wish he had confided in me, for Will would not care a fig, but every woman doesn't draw such a prize as I. Perhaps when you get number two he will not allow the opposite sex to confide; but talking of the green-eyed monster, reminds me of two scandals on our street.
gpt
Scandals! sounds like Bertha Clay's novels. May poor Mrs. Tremaine and self come in. We have been on sermons, servants, and the latest infants; a scandal will be as refreshing as Mrs. Gower's coffee.
human
I guarantee you an appreciative audience, Mrs. Smyth, laughed her hostess,
gpt
What a case you are, Mrs. Gower, but I must cut them short, for I would not for worlds Will and the other gentlemen come in while they are on.
human
No fear of scandals in your home, Mrs. Smyth, said Mrs. Tremaine,
gpt
That's so; well, to begin, before I went to Muskoka, a lady and daughter came to reside near us. As they went to our church, Will said call; I did. Since my return, I heard from Mr. Cobbe, here turning suddenly to Mrs. St. Clair, to whom Mrs. Gower had overlooked introducing her, said:
human
I beg pardon, I should not name names. Continuing,
gpt
Mr. Cobbe told me the young lady had been married, and divorced. Some young fellow, in a good position down East, hearing she had some ready cash, wed and deserted her at close of honeymoon. Well, the other evening she was married again! at the house quite privately, and to whom do you think? to none other than, as the newspapers state, Norman Ferguson MacIntyre!
human
To Norman MacIntyre! oh, what a pity, cried Mrs. Tremaine, in dismay,
gpt
But he can throw her overboard, I am sure, cried Mrs. Dale.
human
If he only have his wits about him, the first marriage likely took place in Canada, the divorce across the line, don't you see; she is the precious prize of the gay deceiver, your friend is free.
gpt
But, even if this be so, Mrs. Dale, said Mrs. Smyth, excitedly,
human
I am willing to stake our Pittsburg foundry on his chances,
gpt
And I, Holmnest, echoed Mrs. Gower,
human
I think they have both lowered their social standing; don't you, Mrs. Tremaine?
gpt
I do, indeed.
human
It altogether depends upon their bank account, said their hostess, sententiously;
gpt
Oh, yes; but my next is a _bona fide_ married couple.
human
But are they according to the Church Prayer Book?
gpt
Oh, yes, certainly; and some say she is like a china doll, and the husband, a great big, ugly, black-looking tyrant; but the gentlemen are coming, and I must cut it short, and only say that a man handsome as Lucifer.
human
Before the fall, I suppose,
gpt
Yes, yes, you naughty woman. Well, they say this handsome fellow is there whenever the husband is out, and a pock-marked red-headed boy (some say their son) is there to watch the pretty wife, and their name is St. Clair.
human
Oh, mercy! she cried, looking around discovering the boy Noah St. Clair, whom every one had forgotten seated on a footstool behind her, who said vengefully, indicating by a gesture Mrs. St. Clair and himself,
gpt
That's _our_ name; it's _us_.
human
Gracious, Mrs. Gower, what have I done? Pardon me, I was under the impression that this lady's name was Cobbe. I don't know how I got things muddled; I thought she was some relative of our Mr. Cobbe.
gpt
Never mind, dear; I should have introduced you; don't apologize; there are other St. Clairs in Toronto than my friends.
human
I don't mind it in the least, purred the pretty doll;
gpt
Yet 'tell my name again to me,' am always here at beauty's call,
human
You, as a Bona Dea, have been our toast, Mrs. Gower,
gpt
And my inclinations, I hope, she said, laughingly,
human
I appeal to your memory of the 'Antiquary,' Mrs. Gower; could any man living toast you as the Rev. Mr. Battergowl did Miss Grisel Monkbarns?
gpt
I don't know; perhaps some would desire to make a proviso.
human
Then they would err; I should give a woman of your stamp any length of line.
gpt
Thank you; your confidence would not be misplaced, when in honor bound I have ever felt as though I did not belong to myself.
human
I should judge so; underlying your gaiety conscientiousness holds you to an extent few would dream of; you have frequently sacrificed yourself to a mistaken sense of duty. Am I not right?
gpt
Yes; I have been a slave to what I used to think the voice of conscience, but which I am now sure was extreme sensitiveness, and a sort of moral cowardice; but how strange you should read me so truly.
human
Not at all, I am a phrenologist; if you will allow me the very great privilege, I shall read your character to you in some quiet hour.
gpt
With very great pleasure. And now will you do me another favor? Make my piano sing and speak to us.
human
Thank you; I should like to try your instrument. It is from Mason & Risch, I see.