This had the desired effect; and for an hour and
a half they prosecuted their studies with close attention.
Whilst the count continued his directions to her sister, and then
turned his address to herself, Miss Euphemia, wholly unseen by him,
with a bent head was affecting to hear him though at the same time
she looked obliquely through her thick flaxen ringlets, and gazing
with wonder and admiration on his face as it inclined towards her,
said to herself, "If this man were a gentleman, I should think him
the most charming creature in the world."
"Will your task be too long, madam?" inquired Thaddeus; "will it give
you any inconvenience to remember?"
"To remember what?" asked she, for in truth she had neither seen what
he had been pointing at nor heard what he had been saying.
"The lesson madam, I have just been proposing."
"Show it to me again, and then I shall be a better judge."
He did as he was desired, and was taking his leave, when she called
after him:
"Pray, Mr. Constantine, come to-morrow at two. I want you
particularly."
The count bowed and withdrew.
"And what do you want with him to-morrow, child?" asked Miss Dundas;
"you are not accustomed to be so fond of improvement."
Euphemia knew very well what she was accustomed to be fond of; but
not choosing to let her austere sister into her predilection for the
contemplation of superior beauty, she merely answered, "You know,
Diana, you often reproach me for my absurd devotion to novel-reading,
and my repugnance to graver books; now I want at once to be like you,
a woman of great erudition: and for that purpose I will study day and
night at the German, till I can read all the philosophers, and be a
fit companion for my sister.
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