'
'That is more of a reason,' said Anne; 'what a pity it is that Lucy
is so shy!'
'Excessive shyness and reserve is what prevents her mother from being
able to spoil her,' said Elizabeth; 'so do not regret it.'
'Still I do not like to see you going out in this way,' said Anne.
'I may truly say that rain never hurts me,' said Elizabeth; 'and if I
once let one trifle stop me in these parish matters, I shall be
stopped for ever, and never do anything. Perhaps I shall not come
back this hour and a half, for old Mrs. Clayton must be dying to hear
all about our Consecration, luncheon, dinner, &c., and as she is the
widow of the last Vicar, we are in duty bound to be civil to her, and
I must go and call upon her. Oh! you poor thing, I forgot how
deserted you will be, and really the drawing-room is almost
uninhabitable with that Bengal tiger in it. Here is that delightful
Norman Conquest for you to read; pray look at the part about Hereward
the Saxon.'
Elizabeth would not trust herself to stay with Anne any longer, and
ran down-stairs, and might soon be heard putting up her umbrella and
shutting the front door after her.
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