But afterward she gave me a hundred
jacobusses for the poor, and I thanked her. I am very sorry that I was
angry the day of the fight, but you know the great persons who come here
from Whitehall are very irritating, and treat us all with contempt."
"I am not a great lady, Betty, though I live at court. I am poor and very
far from happy. I am not so good as you, Betty, I'm sure, though I do the
best I can not to be bad."
"Oh, you are too beautiful not to be good," returned Betty, warming up to
my cousin.
"Whether I am beautiful or not I care little, for I am in great trouble
and have come to you for help," said Frances. "My cousin, Baron Clyde,
who is as dear to me as a brother, is full of your praises, and only the
other day said that there was no woman or girl in England purer or better
than you, and that he knew none in the world whom he deemed more
beautiful."
The red came to Betty's cheeks, and she answered, smiling and dimpling:
"Ah, did he say that of me? I deem him my very good friend indeed. Is he
really your cousin?"
"Yes, he is more a brother than a cousin," returned Frances.
Immediately Betty softened and, drawing a chair close to Frances's side,
sat down. After a long pause, she murmured: "Then if I may, I, too, would
be your friend."
"I knew you would," answered Frances. "Now give me your hand, so that we
may feel as well as see and hear each other. Ah, Betty, how soft and warm
your hand is.
Pages:
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169