'it was very inconsiderate of my brother,' resumed madame cheron, 'to leave the trouble of overlooking your conduct to me; i wish you was well settled in life.but if i find, that i am to be further troubled with such visitors as this m.valancourt, i shall place you in a convent at once;--so remember the native.this young man has the impertinence to own to me,--he owns it! that his fortune is very small, and that he is chiefly dependent on an elder brother and on the profession he has chosen! he should have concealed these circumstances, at least, if he expected to succeed with me.had he the presumption to suppose i would marry my niece to a person such as he describes himself!'
emily dried her tears when she heard of the candid confession of valancourt; and, though the circumstances it discovered were afflicting to her hopes, his artless conduct gave her a degree of pleasure, that overcame every other emotion.but she was compelled, even thus early in life, to observe, that good sense and noble integrity are not always sufficient to cope with folly and narrow cunning; and her heart was pure enough to allow her, even at this trying moment, to look with more pride on the defeat of the former, than with mortification on the conquests of the latter.
madame cheron pursued her triumph.'he has also thought proper to tell me, that he will receive his dismission from no person but yourself; this favour, however, i have absolutely refused him.he shall learn, that it is quite sufficient, that i disapprove him.and i take this opportunity of repeating,--that if you concert any means of interview unknown to me, you shall leave my house immediately.'
'how little do you know me, madam, that you should think such an injunction necessary!' said emily, trying to suppress her emotion, 'how little of the dear parents, who educated me!'