prudery_, but in vain. Clarence Hervey seemed to think that her ladyship
had not fulfilled her part of the bargain.--"Is not _smiling_," said he,
"the epithet always applied to peace? yet I have not been able to obtain
one smile from Miss Portman since I have been promised peace." Embarrassed
by Mr. Hervey's reproaches, and provoked to find that Belinda was proof
against all her raillery, Lady Delacour grew quite ill-humoured towards
her. Belinda, unconscious of having given any just cause of offence, was
unmoved; and her ladyship's embarrassment increased. At last, resuming all
her former appearance of friendship and confidence, she suddenly exclaimed
one night after she had flattered Belinda into high spirits--

"Do you know, my dear, that I have been so ashamed of ashamed of myself
for this week past, that I have hardly dared to look you in the face. I am
sensible I was downright rude and cross to you one day, and ever since I
have been penitent; and, as all penitents are, very stupid and
disagreeable, I am sure: but tell me you forgive my caprice, and Lady
Delacour will be herself again."

It was not difficult to obtain Belinda's forgiveness.

"Indeed," continued Lady Delacour, "you are too good; but then in my own
justification I must say, that I have more things to make me ill-humoured
than most people have. Now, my dear, that most obstinate of human beings,
Lord Delacour, has reduced me to the most terrible situation--I have made
Clarence Hervey buy a pair of horses for me, and I cannot make my Lord
Delacour pay for them; but I forgot to tell you that I took your name--not
in vain indeed--in this business. I told Clarence, that upon condition he
would do this _job_ for me, you would forgive him for all his sins,
and--nay, my dear, why do you look as if I had stabbed you to the
heart?--after all, I only drew upon your pretty mouth for a few smiles.