Page:The Adventures of David Simple (1904).djvu/323

 at last bring themselves to such a habitude of teasing and vexing themselves as will in the end appear perfectly natural."

Valentine hearkened with the utmost joy and attention to every word Cynthia uttered; Camilla perfectly agreed with her in her sentiments; and David could not forbear expressing a great uneasiness that mankind should think anything worthy their serious regard but real goodness. Nothing more worth remarking happened to them that day; they spent the evening in a conversation on Isabelle's misfortunes, which dwelt strongly on poor David's mind; and the next, being very wet weather, they resolved to stay at home.

Cynthia, who always employed her thoughts in what manner she could best amuse her company, proposed the telling them a story she knew of two young ladies while she was abroad. And as every person of this party delighted in hearing her talk, and expressed their great desire she would relate it, she, without any ceremony, began what will be seen in the next chapter.

" were two young English ladies at Paris with a married lady of their acquaintance, who were celebrated for their beauty throughout the whole town: one of them was named Corinna, and the other Sacharissa; and, notwithstanding they were sisters, yet were they as perfectly different, in both person and temper, as if they had been no way related. Corinna was tall, well-proportioned, and had a majesty in her person and a lustre in her