Helen, who considered it as a most
improper proceeding, sat perfectly still and silent, with a
countenance full of demure gravity, which made Elizabeth and Anne
fall into fresh convulsions as they looked at her; Lucy only blushed;
and as for Harriet, the last two lines could scarcely be heard, for
her exclamations of, 'O Mr. Merton, that is too bad! O Mr. Merton,
how could you think of such a thing? O Mr. Merton, I can never
forgive you! Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall never stop laughing. Oh
dear! Mr. Merton, what would Frank Hollis say to you? how
ridiculous!'
'Now for Anne's real poem, Rupert,' said Elizabeth, not choosing to
make any remarks, lest Rupert should consider them as compliments.
'Have you not heard it?' said Rupert.
'Nonsense,' said Elizabeth.
'Why, I told you I had it in my hand,' said Rupert.
'And you have it still,' said Elizabeth; 'deliver it up, if you
please; it is the best of all, I can tell you, I had a cursory view
of it.'
'No, no,' said Anne, who saw that her brother meant to teaze her, and
not to restore her verses; 'it was a very poor performance, it is
much better for my fame that it should never be seen.
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