Of course--laughing a little affectedly--she had no intention of hinting at such a reason in my case; any one could see at a glance that I was not that sort of person; I was far too sensible and matter-of-fact: gentlemen would be quite afraid of me, I was so strong-minded.

But all the same she pleaded guilty to a feeling of natural curiosity why such an idea had come into my head.
When I had warded off this successfully,--for I declined to enlighten Miss Darrell on this subject,--she flew off at a tangent to Aunt Philippa.
'It was such a pity when relations did not entirely harmonise.

An aunt could never replace a mother.

Ah! she knew that too well: and when there were daughters--and she had heard from Mr.Cunliffe that my cousin Sara was excessively pretty and charming--no doubt there would be natural misunderstandings and jealousies.

In spite of all my goodness, I was only human.