She was resolved to put
down this dragon that laid waste society. The dragon was instantly
conscious that she had made a mistake in speaking, and was angry
accordingly. She said nothing more; she only glared.
"Good-morning, my dear Mrs. Dinks," said Mrs. Newt, in a troubled voice,
as she entered the room. "Oh my! isn't it--isn't it--singular?"
For Mrs. Newt was bewildered. Between her husband and Mrs. Dagon she had
been so depressed and comforted that she did not know what to think. She
was sure it was Fanny who had married Alfred, and she supposed, with all
the world, that he had, or was to have, a pretty fortune. Yet she felt,
with her husband, that the private marriage was suspicious. It seemed, at
least, to prove the indisposition of Mrs. Dinks to the match. But, as
they were married, she did not wish to alienate the mother of the rich
bridegroom.
"Singular, indeed, Mrs. Newt!" rejoined Mrs. Dinks; "I call it
extraordinary!"
"I call it outrageous," interpolated Mrs. Dagon. "Poor girl! to be run
away with and married! What a blow for our family!"
Mrs. Dinks resumed her glasses, and looked unutterably at Mrs. Dagon. But
Mrs. Dinks, on her side, knowing the limitations of Alfred's income, and
believing in the Newt resources, did not wish to divert from him any
kindness of the Newts. So she outgeneraled Mrs. Dagon again.
"Yes, indeed, it is an outrage upon all our feelings.
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