( 155 )
about it. Women look old so much sooner than men, that there is no judging by the exteriour."
"Well, Sir, and if they do, I don't know any great right you have to call them to account for it."
"Bless me, Sir!" cried Miss Matson, "if you knew Miss Ellis all this time, why did you ask us all so many questions about her, as if you had never seen her before in your life?"
"Why I never had! That's the very problem that wants solving! Though I had spent a good seven or eight hours as near to her as I am to you, I never had seen her before!"
"Oh! you mean because of her disguise, I take it, Sir?" said Miss Bydel; "but I heard all that at the very first, from Miss Selina Joddrel; but Miss Elinor told us it was only put on for escaping; so I thought no more about it; for Mrs. Maple assured us she was a young lady of family and fashion, for else she would never, she said, have let her act with us. And this we all be-
