"It is her duty, and I assure you, it will be greatly to her advantage.

Miriam is a most lovely girl, but her character has not hardened itself into what it is going to be, and association with a thoroughbred girl, such as Dora Bannister, admirably educated, who has seen something of the world, with an intelligence and wit such as I have never known in any one of her age, and more than all with a soul as beautiful as her face, cannot fail to be an inestimable benefit to your sister.

What Miriam most needs, at this stage of her life, is proper companionship of her own age and sex." Ralph assented.

"But," said he, "she is not without that, you know.

Miss Drane, who with her mother now lives with us, is a most--" Miss Panney's face grew very hard.
"Excuse me," she interrupted, "I know all about that.