"
"Yet the people, except the women," said Bradshawe, "are losing faith
in their greasy reverences."
"Women are everywhere more devout than men," she answered; "and I do
indeed observe their greasy reverences, as you call them, conversing
oftener with our sex than yours."
"Observe more closely, Lady Mabel, and you will see that they are most
zealous for the conversion of the young women, the tender lambs of the
flock. They care little for a tough, smoke-dried, old woman's soul."
This was said with a knowing, wink, and caused some merriment among
his juniors within ear-shot.
A gradual but perceptible change was coming over the colonel's manner,
which Lady Mabel did not like. In fact, Lord Strathern had pushed the
bottle briskly, though sometimes slighting it himself, as did many of
his guests; but Bradshawe made it a point of conscience to take toll
every time it passed him. He had, moreover, violated one of his own
maxims, in talking incessantly while imbibing his liquor; so she took
advantage of the next pause in his conversation to leave the table.
CHAPTER III.
You are a gentleman of excellent breeding, admirable discourse, of
great admittance; authentic in your place and person, and generally
allowed for your many warlike, courtlike, and learned
preparations.
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