He
paid a good deal of attention to her, and she in return grew more
forward and chattering. It is what little girls will sometimes do
under the pleasure and excitement of the notice of gentlemen, and it
makes their friends very uneasy, since the only excuse they can have
is in being VERY LITTLE, and it shows a most undesirable want of
self-command and love of attention.
In addition to this feeling, Lady Woodley dreaded every word that was
spoken, lest it should lead to suspicion, for though she was sure Mr.
Enderby would not willingly apprehend her son, yet she could not tell
what he might consider his duty to his employers; besides, there were
the two soldiers to observe and report, and the discovery that Edmund
was at hand might lead to frightful consequences. She tried to
converse composedly with him on his family and the old neighbourhood
where they had both lived, often interrupting herself to send a look
or word of warning to the lower end of the table; but Lucy and
Charles were too wild to see or heed her, and grew more and more
unrestrained, till at last, to the dismay of her mother, brother, and
sister, Charles' voice was heard so loud as to attract everyone's
notice, in a shout of wonder and complaint, "Mother, mother, look!
Rose has gobbled up a whole pigeon to her own share!"
Rose could not keep herself from blushing violently, as she whispered
reprovingly that he must not be rude.
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