It is hard lines, poor old girl," continued Mr.Jacobi in a feeling tone, "for she was longing to make the Misses Templeton's acquaintance." Malcolm returned a civil answer, and Mr.Jacobi continued-- "Templeton is a lucky fellow, between you and me and the post," in a jocular tone.

"It must be a good thing for him that his sisters have set their faces against matrimony.

Nice-looking women, both of them, but in my humble opinion Miss Elizabeth is the most attractive.
Templeton let out to Leah the other day that she could have married a dozen times over if she had wished to do so, only she vowed she was cut out for an old maid." "I don't suppose he knows anything about it," returned Malcolm, feeling this speech was in the worst possible form.

It revolted him to hear this man even mention Elizabeth's name--he would give him no encouragement; but Saul Jacobi, who could be dense when he chose, did not drop the subject.
"It is rather a big place for two maiden ladies of uncertain age," he remarked blandly; but this speech irritated Malcolm beyond endurance.
"There is nothing uncertain about the second Miss Templeton's age," he said impatiently; "she is still a young woman." Then it struck him that Mr.Jacobi looked a trifle crestfallen.
"Young, do you call her?
Oh no, very mature and sedate, like a middle-aged woman.

Gyp Campion told me as a fact--do you know Gyp?
he is in the Hussars, and a tiptop swell in the bargain--well, Gyp let out that his brother Owen had proposed to Miss Elizabeth Templeton years ago at Alassio." "Oh, I daresay," indifferently.