My apprehensions of being disparaged to Toms New Arrivals the object of my
engrossing affection were revived when we went into the drawing-
room, by the grim and distant aspect of Miss Murdstone. But I was
relieved of them in an unexpected manner.
‘David Copperfield,’ said Miss Murdstone, beckoning me aside
into a window. ‘A word.’
I confronted Miss Murdstone alone.
‘David Copperfield,’ said Miss Murdstone, ‘I need not enlarge
upon family circumstances. They are not a tempting subject.’
‘Far from it, ma’am,’ I returned.
‘Far from it,’ assented Miss Murdstone. ‘I do not wish to revive
the memory of past differences, or of past outrages. I have
received outrages from a person—a female I am sorry to say, for
the credit of my sex—who is not to be mentioned without scorn
and disgust; and therefore I would rather not mention her.’
I felt very fiery on my aunt’s account; but I said it would
certainly be better, if Miss Murdstone pleased, not to mention her.
I could not hear her disrespectfully mentioned, I added, without
expressing my opinion in a decided tone.