It would be a grand romantic wind-up to the story which Stowbury used to tell--of how the 'prentice boy stared his eyes out at the beautiful young lady; and you would get the advantage of 'my house in Russell Square,' 'my carriage and servants,' and be able to elevate your whole family.

Do, now! set your cap at Peter Ascott." Here Hilary, breaking out into one of her childish fits of irrepressible laughter, was startled to see Selina's face in one blaze of indignation.
"Hold your tongue, you silly chit, and don't chatter about things you don't understand." And she swept majestically out of the room.
"What have I done?
Why she is really vexed.

If I had thought she would have taken it in earnest I would never have said a word.

Who would have thought it!" But Miss Selina's fits of annoyance were so common that the sisters rarely troubled themselves long on the matter.

And when at tea-time she came down in the best of spirits, they met her half-way, as they always did, thankful for these brief calms in the family atmosphere, which never lasted too long.