Oh,
dear Mr. Fielding, I should be worse than a pagan, if I did not keep
these memorials of Jesus and Mary ever before me; if I did not let a
shadow of my poor love for their infinite clemency and love express
itself in veneration for those images which remind me continually of
them."
"I didn't come here to talk polemics," said Mr. Fielding, turning away
abruptly, and sitting down.
"And will you please, most grave sir, to open the business which has
procured me the honor of this visit?" said May, seating herself primly
in a chair opposite to him, and folding her little hands together with
an air of dignity. Mr. Fielding coughed, to hide a laugh.
"Where is Dr. Burrell?" he inquired.
"Attending to his patients, I presume," she replied, while her face
flushed up.
"So. When did your ladyship see him last?"
"I am not aware that it concerns you especially to know," she said,
confused.
"Yes it does. I have a right to know every thing about you _per fas et
nefas_. Any one who will burn up a _will_, which would have secured to
her a half million in funds and real estate, or, in case she did not
burn the will, won't consent to set one aside, which the testator
declared on his death-bed was null and void; who refused to come and
keep house for a childless old man, who would have treated her in every
respect as an honored guest; who flew off like a fussy little wren,
when her affluent cousin offered to provide for her; and who, last of
all, rejects one of nature's noblemen--the best match in the city--the
deuce knows for what; _I_ consider non compos mentis, and quite unable
to take care of herself.
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