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Book, page 372 / 433 must do as other people do." "_Assurement_," said mademoiselle; "not dat I approve of the want of gallantry in our gentlemen, neider. But, I tink, Mademoiselle Earl is as stiff as de poker, and I don't approve of dat, neider--_Je n'aime pas les prudes, moi_." "But, without prudery, may not there be dignity of manners?" said the old lady, gravely. "_Dignite!_--Oh, I don't say noting against _dignite_, neider; not but I tink de English reserve is _de trop_. I tink a lady of a certain rank has always good _principes_ enough, to be sure, and as to the rest _qu'importe?_--dat's my notions." Mr. Mountague looked with anxiety at Lady Augusta, to see what she thought of her governess's notions; but all that he could judge from her countenance was that she did not think at all. "Well, she has time enough before her to learn to think," said he to himself. "I am glad she did not assent to mademoiselle's _notions_, at least. I hope she has learnt nothing from her but '_the true French pronunciation_.'" No sooner was breakfast finished than Lord George ---- gave his customary morning yawn, and walked as usual to the window. "Come," said Dashwood, in his free manner--"come, mademoiselle, you must come down with us to the water-side, and Lady Augusta, I hope." "Ay," whispered Lord George to Dashwood, "and let's settle our wager about mademoiselle and my blackamore--don't think I'll let you off that." "Off!--I'm ready to double the bet, my lord," said Dashwood aloud, and in the same moment turned to mademoiselle with some high-flown compliment about the beauty of her complexion, and the dangers of going without a veil on a hot sunny day. "Well, Mr. Dashwood, when you've persuaded mademoiselle to take the veil, we'll set out, if you please," said Lady Augusta. Mr. Mountague, who kept his attention continually upon Lady Augusta, was delighted to see that she waited for the elderly lady, who, at breakfast,
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