"Perhaps you said something about him to Margarette," said Madeline.
"Nothing that could offend him, I am sure, (cried Jaqueline); I only said, when she asked, as I was taking out my money, whether that handsome gentleman near me was a sweetheart of my young lady? 'heaven knows who he is; he may be a sweetheart of yours or mine as well as of hers, for ought I know.' I must confess, indeed, she stared at him with all the eyes in her head, which perhaps drove him away; for I am sure my words could not: this I took care to tell her, after he was gone, was a piece of very bad manners. Before I came home (proceeded Jaqueline), I met some neighbours, to whom I described him, in order to find out if they knew any thing about him; but they were quite ignorant of any such person; it is evident, therefore, that he does not lodge in this valley, or he would be known to its inhabitants."
