CHAPTER X 114
" Missis looks stout and well enough in the face, but I think she ' s not quite easy in her mind: Mr. John ' s conduct does not please her--he spends a deal of money."
" Did she send you here, Bessie?"
" No, indeed: but I have long wanted to see you, and when I heard that there had been a letter from you, and that you were going to another part of the country, I thought I ' d just set off, and get a look at you before you were quite out of my reach."
" I am afraid you are disappointed in me, Bessie." I said this laughing: I perceived that Bessie ' s glance, though it expressed regard, did in no shape denote admiration.
" No, Miss Jane, not exactly: you are genteel enough; you look like a lady, and it is as much as ever I expected of you: you were no beauty as a child."
I smiled at Bessie ' s frank answer: I felt that it was correct, but I confess I was not quite indifferent to its import: at eighteen most people wish to please, and the conviction that they have not an exterior likely to second that desire brings anything but gratification.
" I dare say you are clever, though," continued Bessie, by way of solace. " What can you do? Can you play on the piano?"
" A little."
There was one in the room; Bessie went and opened it, and then asked me to sit down and give her a tune: I played a waltz or two, and she was charmed.
" The Miss Reeds could not play as well!" said she exultingly. " I always said you would surpass them in learning: and can you draw?"