“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. 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 Mr. Hervey is--is not a marrying man; and a woman of your penetration must see that--that he only means to flirt with me. I am not a match for Mr. Hervey in any respect. He is a man of wit and gallantry--I am unpractised in the ways of the world. I was not educated by my aunt Stanhope--I have only been with her a few years--I wish I had never been with her in my life.”