SUSAN GRAY. 85

demning another for that, looking so demure
and so precise, and I know not what! But
now all is come out; we all now know you very
well, You may as well lay aside your dis-
guises, and look like what you are.”

My mistress looked surprised ; and I was
so astonished that I could scarcely speak. At
last, however, hearing her go on at that rate, I
said, “ Indeed, Charlotte, I do not under-
stand you: what have I done?”

“‘ What have you done!” said she, in a taunt-
ing way; ‘ how innocent you look! And so
you pretend not to know what you have done!
But this I will tell you, Miss, your character
is abroad, it is the town’s talk: some whom
you have deceived with your fine grimaces and
preachments, wonder at you; but others say,
that they never thought the better of you for
them.”

My mistress began to laugh, and, tapping
Charlotte on the shoulder, said, “* Why, what
now, my girl? Methinks you seem somewhat
warm,”

“Warm!” repeated she, turning to Mrs.
Bennet; “I warm! What should make me
so? If Susan chooses to behave like a fool, it
is no business of mine; only I think that those
who can do as she has done, have no right to
be lecturing other people.”

On hearing this, I smiled, for I could not
guess what she was talking of.

“You may laugh, if you please, Miss,’ said
she; ‘but, when you come to be out of place,
you will find it no laughing matter.” Then she

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