'
The ladies went in a cab, while the gentlemen walked. There was not
much time to spare, and in the compartment into which the first comers
threw themselves, they found both the Hacket sisters installed, and the
gentlemen coming up in haste, nodded and got into a smoking-carriage,
on seeing how theirs was occupied.
'Oh, we could have made room,' said Constance, to whom a gentleman was
a gentleman under whatever circumstances.
'Dear Miss Dolores's papa! Is it indeed?' said Miss Hacket.
'So wonderfully interesting,' chimed in Constance. And they both made
a dart at Dolores to kiss her in congratulation, much against her will.
The train clattered on, and Lady Merrifield hoped it would hush all
other voices, but neither of the Hackets could refrain from discussing
the trial, and heaping such unmitigated censure on the counsel for the
prisoner, that Miss Mohun felt herself constrained to fly in the face
of all she had said at the hotel, and to maintain the right of even
such an Englishman to be defended, and of his advocate to prevent his
conviction if possible. On which the regular sentiment against
becoming lawyers was produced, and the subject might have been dropped
if Constance had not broken out again, as if she could not leave it.
'So atrocious, so abominably insolent, asking if he was unmarried.'
'Evidently flattered!' muttered Aunt Jane, between her teeth, and
unheard; but the speed slackened, and Constance's voice went on,
'I really thought I should have died of it on the spot.
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