"Well, then, you shall only kiss me when I am in my morning-dress, and one kiss, with hands off, when we say good-night." She smiled a little cold, hard, black smile, smoothing her rumpled feathers, and darting glances at herself in the large mirror opposite, as if she considered her terms the most reasonable in the world.
"It seems to me very little," said Alfred Dinks, discontentedly; "besides, you always look best when you are dressed." "Thank you, love," returned Fanny; "just remember the morning-dress, please, for I shall; and now tell me all about your conversation with your mother." Alfred told the story.

Fanny listened with alarm.

She had watched Mrs.
Dinks closely during the whole summer, and she was sure--for Fanny knew herself thoroughly, and reasoned accordingly--that the lady would stop at nothing in the pursuit of her object.
"What a selfish woman it is!" thought Fanny.

"Not content with Alfred's share of the inheritance, she wants to bring the whole Burt fortune into her family.

How insatiable some people are!" "Alfred, has your mother seen Hope since she talked with you ?" "I'm sure I don't know." "Why didn't you warn her not to ?" "I didn't think of it." "But why didn't you think of it?
If you'd only have put her off, we could have got time," said Fanny, a little pettishly.
"Got time for what ?" asked Alfred, blankly.
"Alfred," said Fanny, coaxing herself to speak gently, "I'm afraid you will be trying, dear.