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it might have caused, and in the discovery that I was known to
the victim's owner. It is the sad fate of the instructors of
youth that they must hypocritically credit themselves with only
the sublimest of motives. I spoke to Carlotta like the good
father in the Swiss Family Robinson. I gave vent to such noble
sentiments that in a quarter of an hour I glowed with pride in my
borrowed plumes of virtue. I would have taken a slug to my bosom
and addressed a rattlesnake as Uncle Toby did the fly. I wonder
whether it is not through some such process as this that parsons
manage to keep themselves good.
The soothing warmth of conscious merit restored me to good
temper; and when Carlotta slid her hand into mine and asked me if
I had forgiven her, I magnanimously assured her that all the past
was forgotten.
Only, said I, you will have to get out of this habit of tears.
A wise man called Burton says in his 'Anatomy of Melancholy,' a
beautiful book which I'll give you to read when you are sixty,
'As much count may be taken of a woman weeping as a goose going
barefoot.'
He was a nasty old man, said Carlotta. Women cry because they
feel very unhappy. Men are never unhappy, and that is the reason
that men don't cry. My mamma used to cry all the time at
Alexandretta; but Hamdi! she broke into an adorable trill of
a chuckle, You would as soon see a goose going with boots and
stockings, like the Puss in the shoes the fairy taleas Hamdi
crying. _Hou_!
Half an hour later, as we were driving homewards, she broke a
rather long silence which she had evidently been employing in
meditation.
Seer Marcous.
Yes?
She has a child's engaging way of rubbing herself up against one
when she wants to be particularly ingratiating.
It was so nice to dine with you on Saturday.
Really?
Oh, yees. When are you going to let me dine with you again, to
show me you have forgiven me?
A hansom cab offers peculiar facilities for the aforesaid process
of ingratiation.
You shall dine with me this evening, said I, and Carlotta cooed
with pleasure.
I perceive that she is gradually growing westernised.
July 8th.
In obedience to a peremptory note from Judith, I took Carlotta
this afternoon to Tottenham Mansions. I shook hands with my
hostess, turned round and said
This, my dear Judith, is Carlotta.
I am very pleased to see you, said Judith.
So am I, replied Carlotta, not to be outdone in politeness.

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