She stopt abruptly, recollecting the censure to which anger and self-importance were leading her, of having introduced into society, a creature of whom, from the origin of any knowledge of her, she had conceived so ill an opinion.
But while the various changes of complexion, produced in Ellis by this oration, were silently marked by Lady Kendover; and drew from Lady Barbara the most affectionate enquiries whether she were indisposed; the Miss Crawleys, who heard all that passed with their customary search of mirth, whether flowing from the ridiculous, the singular, or the mischievous, now clamourously demanded what Mrs Maple meant, by the double face, the blacks, and the whites.
'Oh, no matter,' answered Mrs Maple, stammering; ''tis not a thing worth talking of.'
'But the blacks--and the whites--and the double face?' cried Miss Crawley.
'Ay, the double face, the blacks, and the whites?' cried Miss Di.
'The blacks,' said Mr Riley, 'I understand well enough; but I remember nothing about the double face. Surely the Demoiselle could not hodge-podge herself into one of the whites? What do you mean by all that, Ma'am?'
'Pray ask me nothing about the matter,' replied Mrs Maple, impatiently. 'I am not at all accustomed to talk of people of that sort.'
'Why, how's all this?' cried Riley. 'Have any of you met with the Demoiselle again?'
Mrs Maple would not deign to make any further reply.
He addressed himself to Ireton, who only laughed.
'Well, this is droll enough! it is, faith! I begin to think the Demoiselle has appeared amongst you again. I wish you'd tell me, for I should like to see her of all things, for old acquaintance sake. She was but a dowdy piece of goods, to be sure; but she had fine eyes, and a fine nose; and she amused me prodigiously, she was so devilish shy.'
'You believe, then,' said Ireton, excited, not checked, by the palpable uneasiness of Ellis, 'that if you saw her again, you should know her?'
'Know the Demoiselle? ay, from an hundred, with her beautiful black marks, and _insignia_ of the order of fisty cuffs.'
'I shall want small compulsion for that, I promise you; but where am I to look? Is she here?'
'Nay, then, Master Ireton, since you bid me look, lend me, at least, some sort of spectacles, that may help me to see through a mask; for I am sure, if she be here, she must wear one.'