Her ladyship said,
'First the sweetbreads, and then the cutlets.' I ventured to suggest
that the sweetbreads, as white meat, had better not immediately follow
the turbot, as white fish. 'The brown meat, my lady,' I said, 'as
an agreeable variety presented to the eye, and then the white meat,
recalling pleasant remembrances of the white fish.' You see the point,
Father?"
"I see, Miss Notman, that you are a consummate mistress of an art
which is quite beyond poor me. Was Miss Eyrecourt present at the little
discussion?"
"Oh, no! Indeed, I should have objected to her presence; I should have
said she was a young lady out of her proper place."
"Yes; I understand. Is Miss Eyrecourt an only child?"
"She had two sisters, Father Benwell. One of them is in a convent."
"Ah, indeed?"
"And the other is dead."
"Sad for the father and mother, Miss Notman!"
"Pardon me, sad for the mother, no doubt. The father died long since."
"Aye? aye? A sweet woman, the mother? At least, I think I have heard
so."
Miss Notman shook her head. "I should wish to guard myself against
speaking unjustly of any one," she said; "but when you talk of 'a
sweet woman,' you imply (as it seems to me) the domestic virtues.
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