ABSTRACT
It was very seldom that Sir Edmond had the opportunity of being alone with Malvina; who, though she did not seclude herself so much as she had done, yet continued to consecrate part of each day to the education of Frances; and whenever she went down, she generally found Mrs. Burton or Miss Melmor in the saloon. An indi erent person was su cient to throw a restraint over her,1 consequently, the presence of such interested observers, must have rendered it disagreeably irksome. e restless ambition of Mrs. Burton, and the scrutinising jealousy of Miss Melmor, who was continually watching the motions of Sir Edmond, and maliciously interpreting those of Malvina, if she was seated by chance near the object of her wishes. One look from Mrs. Burton created a blush on the cheek of Malvina; if Sir Edmond seized an opportunity of conversing with her, Miss Melmor immediately bent forward to hear the reply.
