But we
want for everything, as it happens! Women's talk is limited--every one
knows that. That 's just what mamma did n't want when she asked Mrs.
Vivian to take charge of me. Now, Mr. Longueville, what are you laughing
at?--you are always laughing at me. She wanted me to be unlimited--is
that what you say? Well, she did n't want me to be narrowed down; she
wanted me to have plenty of conversation. She wanted me to be fitted
for society--that 's what mamma wanted. She wanted me to have ease of
manner; she thinks that if you don't acquire it when you are young you
never have it at all. She was so happy to think I should come to Baden;
but she would n't approve of the life I 've been leading the last four
days. That 's no way to acquire ease of manner--sitting all day in a
small parlor with two persons of one's own sex! Of course Mrs. Vivian's
influence--that 's the great thing. Mamma said it was like the odor of
a flower. But you don't want to keep smelling a flower all day, even
the sweetest; that 's the shortest way to get a headache. Apropos of
flowers, do you happen to have heard whether Captain Lovelock is alive
or dead? Do I call him a flower? No; I call him a flower-pot. He always
has some fine young plant in his button-hole.
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