LUCY’S FRIENDS. 75

too rude to deserve your notice. Come with me
up stairs, and I will show you these beautiful
prints, and something yet more beautiful, which
IT have in this box. I was bringing them for the
amusement of your visitors; but I cannot suppose
that a young gentleman who finds entertainment
in catching flies, or young ladies who take
pleasure in wounding the feelings of others, could
derive any enjoyment from such things.”

Saying this, Mr. Lovett left the room, carrying
the still weeping Mary in his arms. Soon after-
ward, Mrs. Lovett entered the basement with
Emma, and seated herself there. Lucy knew,
from this movement, that her mother was not
pleased with her present companions, or willing
to trust her alone with them. They evidently
did not like the restraint of Mrs. Lovett’s pre-
sence, and their dissatisfied glances and impolite
manners made Lucy so uncomfortable, that she
was not sorry to hear them say, immediately after
dinner, that they must return home. They soon
took their leave; and though Lucy had grieved
her cousin, displeased her parents, and offended
against her own sense of right to please them,