'
'Did you ever do so?' said Mrs. Bouverie, smiling.
'No,' said Elizabeth, 'luckily it is no affair of mine yet; but if
ever it was, there would be a hard struggle between my politeness and
sincerity.'
'Sincerity would be most likely to gain the day,' thought Mrs.
Bouverie. 'Perhaps,' said she, 'you are not a fair judge of other
people's sincerity, since you do not like music yourself.'
'I think,' said Elizabeth, 'that even if I did play, I could see in
people's faces whether they meant what they said; that is, if vanity
and love of applause did not blind me.'
Mrs. Bouverie was silent for a moment, and then said, 'Well, I must
say, I am disappointed to find that you do not play.'
Elizabeth remembered how well her mother had, played, and it was
plain to her that Mrs. Bouverie was noticing her for her mother's
sake. She looked down and coloured as she replied, 'Both my sisters
are musical, and Helen is said to be likely to sing very well. I
believe the history of my want of music to be,' added she, with a
bright smile, 'that I was too naughty to learn; and now, I am afraid
--I am not sorry for it, as it would have taken up a great deal of
time, and two singing sisters are surely enough for one family.
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