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Bouverie.'
'Oh! Mrs. Bouverie is a rara avis, an exception to the general rule,'
said Elizabeth; 'but you know, she or my uncle, or aunt, or Papa, are
generally forced to put a lock on their understanding. Why, Anne,
what are you laughing at?'
'Lizzie, I beg your pardon,' said Anne, trying to check herself, 'but
I could not help it. Your speech put me in mind of the prints from
Albano's four elements. Do not you remember Juno's visit to AEolus,
where he is opening the door of a little corner cupboard where he
keeps the puff-cheeked winds locked up? Do you mean to say that
Mamma keeps her mighty powers of mind locked up in the same way, for
fear they should burst out and overwhelm everybody?'
Elizabeth heartily joined in her cousin's merriment. 'I will tell
you what I do mean, Anne, what the great law of society is. Now, do
not put on that absurd face of mock gravity, or I shall only laugh,
instead of arguing properly.'
'Well, let us hear,' said Anne.
'It is almost more important than the law that you must eat with a
knife and fork,' said Elizabeth.


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