the world, I'll tell you: I'd have both sexes call things by their right
names."

"This would doubtless be a great improvement," said Mr. Percival; "but you
would not overturn society to attain it, would you? Should we find things
much improved by tearing away what has been called the decent drapery of
life?"

"Drapery, if you ask me my opinion," cried Mrs. Freke, "drapery, whether
wet or dry, is the most confoundedly indecent thing in the world."

"That depends on _public_ opinion, I allow," said Mr. Percival. "The
Lacedaemonian ladies, who were veiled only by public opinion, were better
covered from profane eyes than some English ladies are in wet drapery."

"I know nothing of the Lacedaemonian ladies: I took my leave of them when
I was a schoolboy--girl, I should say. But pray, what o'clock is it by
you? I've sat till I'm cramped all over," cried Mrs. Freke, getting up and
stretching herself so violently that some part of her habiliments gave
way. "Honi soit qui mal y pense!" said she, bursting into a horse laugh.

Without sharing in any degree that confusion which Belinda felt for her,
she strode out of the room, saying, "Miss Portman, you understand these
things better than I do; come and set me to rights."

When she was in Belinda's room, she threw herself into an arm-chair, and
laughed immoderately.

"How I have trimmed Percival this morning!" said she.