Pray let me see whether it has actually forgotten _how_ to smile."

Belinda was too much vexed at this instant to understand raillery. She was
inspired by anger with unwonted courage, and, losing all fear of Lady
Delacour's wit, she very seriously expostulated with her ladyship upon
having thus used her name without her consent or knowledge. Belinda felt
she was now in danger of being led into a situation which might be fatal
to her reputation and her happiness; and she was the more surprised at her
ladyship, when she recollected the history she had so lately heard of
Harriot Freke and Colonel Lawless.

"You cannot but be sensible, Lady Delacour," said Belinda, "that after the
contempt I have heard Mr. Hervey express for match-making with Mrs.
Stanhope's nieces, I should degrade myself by any attempts to attract his
attention. No wit, no eloquence, can change my opinion upon this
subject--I cannot endure contempt."

"Very likely--no doubt"--interrupted Lady Delacour; "but if you would only
open your eyes, which heroines make it a principle never to do--or else
there would be an end of the novel--if you would only open your eyes, you
would see that this man is in love with you; and whilst you are afraid of
his contempt, he is a hundred times more afraid of yours; and as long as
you are each of you in such fear of you know not what, you must excuse me
if I indulge myself in a little wholesome raillery."--Belinda
smiled.--"There now; one such smile as that for Clarence Hervey, and I'm
out of debt and danger," said Lady Delacour.

"O Lady Delacour, why, why will you try your power over me in this
manner?" said Belinda. "You know that I ought not to be persuaded to do
what I am conscious is wrong. But a few days ago you told me yourself that