Page:Eliot - Felix Holt, the Radical, vol. I, 1866.djvu/182

172 laid hold of her arm with his teeth, and bit with all his might. Happily the stuffs upon it were some protection, but the pain forced Mrs Transome to give a low cry; and Sir Maximus who had now turned to reseat himself, shook the little rascal off, whereupon he burst away and trotted into the library again. "I fear you are hurt," said Lady Debarry, with sincere concern. "What a little savage! Do have your arm attended to, my dear—I recommend fomentation—don't think of me."

"O thank you, it is nothing," said Mrs Transome, biting her lip and smiling alternately; "it will soon go off. The pleasures of being a grandmamma, you perceive. The child has taken a disike to me; but he makes quite a new life for Mr Transome; they were playfellows at once."

"Bless my heart!" said Sir Maximus, "it is odd to think of Harold having been a family man so long. I made up my mind he was a young bachelor. What an old stager I am, to be sure! And whom has he married? I hope we shall soon have the pleasure of seeing Mrs Harold Transome." Sir Maximus, occupied with old Mr Transome, had not overheard the previous conversation on that subject.