 cheek, and at last, having cleared a
voice that was naturally liquid as a lark's, she said: -
    »You must think it rather strange that I should talk so much about Dr.
Bretton, ask so many questions, take such an interest, but -« »Not at all
strange; perfectly natural; you like him.«
    »And if I did,« said she, with slight quickness, »is that a reason why I
should talk? I suppose you think me weak, like my cousin Ginevra?«
    »If I thought you one whit like Madame Ginevra, I would not sit here waiting
for your communications. I would get up, walk at my ease about the room, and
anticipate all you had to say by a round lecture. Go on.«
    »I mean to go on,« retorted she; »what else do you suppose I mean to do?«
And she looked and spoke - the little Polly of Bretton - petulant, sensitive.
»If,« said she emphatically, »if I liked Dr. John till I was fit to die for
liking him, that alone could not license me to be otherwise than dumb - dumb as
the grave - dumb as you, Lucy Snowe - you know it - and you know you would
despise me if I failed in self-control, and whined about some ricketty liking
that was all on my side.«
    »It is true I little respect women or girls who are loquacious either in
boasting the triumphs, or bemoaning the mortifications, of feeling. But as to
you, Paulina, speak, for I earnestly wish to hear you. Tell me all it will give
you pleasure or relief to tell; I ask no more.«
    »Do you care for me, Lucy?«
    »Yes, I do, Paulina.«
    »And I love you. I had an odd content in being with you even when I was a
little, troublesome, disobedient girl; it was charming to me then to lavish on
you my naughtiness and whims. Now you are acceptable to me, and I like to talk
with and trust you. So listen, Lucy.«
    And she settled herself, resting against my arm - resting gently, not with
honest Mistress Fanshawe's fatiguing and selfish weight.
    »A few minutes since you asked whether we had not heard from Graham during
our absence, and I said there were two letters for papa on business; this was
true, but I did not tell you all.«
    »You evaded?«
    »I shuffled
