He happened to be here a short while since, when the letter
arrived. He had been good enough to come to preach me a sermon on his own
account. He to find fault with my actions!" cried Miss Ethel, quivering
with wrath and clenching the luckless paper in her hand. "He to accuse me
of levity, and to warn me against making improper acquaintances! He began
his lectures too soon. I am not a lawful slave yet, and prefer to remain
unmolested, at least as long as I am free."
"And you told Frank all this, Miss Newcome, and you showed him that
letter?" said the old lady.
"The letter was actually brought to me whilst his lordship was in the
midst of his sermon," Ethel replied. "I read it as he was making his
speech," she continued, gathering anger and scorn as she recalled the
circumstances of the interview. "He was perfectly polite in his language.
He did not call me a fool or use a single other bad name. He was good
enough to advise me and to make such virtuous pretty speeches, that if he
had been a bishop he could not have spoken better; and as I thought the
letter was a nice commentary on his lordship's sermon, I gave it to him.
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