Now, my love, you have the good sense to know that, whatever a
young gentleman of that age says to you, he says to many other ladies;
but your experience is not equal to your sense; so profit by mine. A girl
of your age must never be talked of with a person of the other sex: it is
fatal; fatal! but if you permit yourself to be singled out, you will be
talked of, and distress those who love you. It is easy to avoid
injudicious duets in society; oblige me by doing so to-night." To show
how much she was in earnest, Mrs. Dodd hinted that, were her admonition
neglected, she should regret for once having kept clear of an enthusiast.
Julia had no alternative; she assented in a faint voice. After a pause
she faltered out, "And suppose he should esteem me seriously?"
Mrs. Dodd replied quickly, "Then that would be much worse. But," said
she, "I have no apprehensions on that score; you are a child, and he is a
precocious boy, and rather a flirt. But forewarned is forearmed. So now
run away and dress, sweet one: my lecture is quite ended."
The sensitive girl went up to her room with a heavy heart.
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