Page:Traits and Trials.pdf/262

256 Mrs. Bennett rather stared than looked at the new comer: apparently the survey was any-thing but satisfactory, for, in a very peevish tone, she exclaimed—rather to her husband than to Fanny—

"Why do you keep her standing—there, Miss—Miss, what is your name, is a chair close by." Well for Fanny was it that the chair did stand close by, for she almost sank upon it, appalled at her reception.

A dead silence prevailed for some minutes, broken by Mrs. Bennett's asking her husband some trifling question, to which he made no reply. Silence again prevailed, and to Miss Beaumont's great relief, Mrs. Bennett addressed her very civilly, as to whether she had not found her journey fatiguing—"You will not see your pupils till to-morrow, they are in bed, and glad enough everybody is when they are there."

The carriage was announced, but while putting on her cloak, Mrs. Bennett begged that Fanny would ring for any thing she wanted.