Page:Mrs Caudle's curtain lectures.djvu/133

 Rh walking with his own wife! Don't tell me that it's Miss Prettyman—what's Miss Prettyman to me? Oh!

"You've met her once or twice at her brother's house?

"Yes, I dare say you have—no doubt of it. I always thought there was something very tempting about that house—and now I know it all. Now, it's no use, Mr. Caudle, your beginning to talk loud, and twist and toss your arms about as if you were as innocent as a born babe—I'm not to be deceived by such tricks now. No; there was a time when I was a fool and believed anything; but—I thank my stars!—I've got over that.

"A bold minx! You suppose I didn't see her laugh, too, when she nodded to you! Oh yes, I knew what she thought me—a poor miserable creature, of course. I could see that. No—don't say so, Caudle. I don't always see more than anybody else—but I can't and won't be blind, however agreeable it might be to you; I must have the use of my senses. I'm sure, if a woman wants attention and respect from a man, she'd better be anything than his wife. I've always thought so; and to-day's decided it.

"No; I'm not ashamed of myself to talk so—certainly not.

"A good, amiable young creature indeed!

"Yes; I dare say; very amiable, no doubt. Of course, you think her so. You suppose I didn't see what sort of a bonnet she had on? Oh, a very good creature! And you think I didn't see the smudges of court plaster about her face?

"You didn't see 'em?

"Very likely; but I did. Very amiable, to be sure! What do you say?

"I made her blush at my ill manners?