Page:The Semi-detached House.djvu/224

 think what he means, I suppose he was making a jest of the old lady."

"Perhaps," said the Baron, "he is in love with one of the young ones,"

"Don't talk nonsense, my love," said the Baroness, sharply, "I never saw two more uninteresting girls—no manner, no usage du monde. What could you find to say to them, Rachel? I am sure you have seen nothing like them in my set."

"Nothing whatever that bears the slightest resemblance to them, Aunt."

"I thought so; and what did you make of the Captain, Baron?"

A shrug of the shoulders was the Baron's reply; but then, in his character of benevolent man, he added, "an honest, frank sailor, and it is not his fault if he does not spoil the view at Pleasance by setting the Thames on fire. I suspect he is well off, the fellow has such independant 'manners.