I know women
better than you do; I am one of the precious lot."
The admiral replied only with a look of superlative scorn. This
incensed the Somerset; and that daring woman, whose ear was nearer to
the door, and had caught sounds that escaped the men, actually turned
the handle, and while her eye flashed defiance, her vigorous foot
spurned the folding-doors wide open in half a moment.
Bella Bruce lay with her head sidewise on the table, and her hands
extended, moaning and sobbing piteously for poor Sir Charles.
"For shame, madam, to expose my child," cried the admiral, bursting
with indignation and grief. He rushed to her and took her in his arms.
She scarcely noticed him, for the moment he turned her she caught sight
of Miss Somerset, and recognized her face in a moment. "Ah! the Sister
of Charity!" she cried, and stretched out her hands to her, with a look
and a gesture so innocent, confiding, and imploring, that the Somerset,
already much excited by her own eloquence, took a turn not uncommon
with termagants, and began to cry herself.
But she soon stopped that, for she saw her time was come to go, and
avoid unpleasant explanations. She made a dart and secured the two
letters. "Settle it among yourselves," said she, wheeling round and
bestowing this advice on the whole party; then shot a sharp arrow at
the admiral as she fled: "If you must be a tool of Richard Bassett,
don't be a tool and a dupe by halves.
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