"He shoved the door into my face, and I acted on the impulse of the
moment, madam. I hope you will forgive the liberty I took in locking
the door of the boudoir. He is older and heavier than I am, madam;
and he has the advantage of being a professional. Else I should have
stood my ground."
"I am quite satisfied," said Lydia, a little coldly, as she left the
room.
"How long you have been!" cried Alice, almost in hysterics, as Lydia
entered. "Is he gone? What were those dreadful noises? IS anything
the matter?"
"Dancing and late hours are the matter," said Lydia, coolly. "The
season is proving too much for you, Alice."
"It is not the season; it is the man," said Alice, with a sob.
"Indeed? I have been in conversation with the man for more than half
an hour; and Bashville has been in actual combat with him; yet we
are not in hysterics. You have been sitting here at your ease, have
yon not?"
"I am not in hysterics," said Alice, indignantly.
"So much the better," said Lydia, gravely, placing her hand on the
forehead of Alice, who subsided with a sniff.