some of Mary's comments too seriously, but this is probably the first time she has come across such an individual, to whom, perhaps, everything becomes fodder for a clever and witty remark. Fanny just has not learned to appreciate her kind of humor yet.

Fanny does laugh against her better judgement sometimes. Here's an instance from Chapter 12: “I am glad of it,” said [Tom], in a much brisker tone, and throwing down the newspaper again, “for I am tired to death. ....they are so many couple of lovers—all but Yates and Mrs. Grant—and, between ourselves, she, poor woman, must want a lover as much as any one of them. A desperate dull life hers must be with the doctor,” making a sly face as he spoke towards the chair of the latter, who proving, however, to be close at his elbow, made so instantaneous a change of expression and subject necessary, as Fanny, in spite of everything, could hardly help laughing at.