I remember that my aunt didn't care for me to see much of Mr.Lashmar.It amused me, because, to tell you the truth, Mrs.Toplady, I should never have thought of Mr.Lashmar as anything but a friend.

I feel quite sure I shouldn't." "I quite understand _that_," replied the listener, the corners of her lips very eloquent.
"Such a thing had never entered my mind," pursued May, volubly and with emphasis.

"Never!" "It may have entered someone else's mind, though," interposed Mrs.
Toplady, again maturely arch.
"Oh, do you think so!" exclaimed the girl, with manifest pleasure.

"I'm sure I hope not.

But, Mrs.Toplady, how could my aunt oblige such a man as Mr.Lashmar to engage himself against his will ?" "You must remember, May, that, for the moment at all events, Mr.
Lashmar's prospects seem to depend a good deal on Lady Ogram's good will.