"I only mean," he explained, "that I want a little time to think." Herbert gave up the dispute and appealed to his wife.

"You have still got the American newspaper in your hand," he said.

"What do you mean to do with it ?" Quietly and firmly Mrs.Linley answered: "I mean to show it to Miss Westerfield." "Against my opinion?
Against your mother's opinion ?" Herbert asked.
"Have we no influence over you?
Do as Randal does--take time, my dear, to think." She answered this with her customary calmness of manner and sweetness of tone.

"I am afraid I must appear obstinate; but it is indeed true that I want no time to think; my duty is too plain to me." Her husband and her mother listened to her in astonishment.

Too amiable and too happy--and it must be added too indolent--to assert herself in the ordinary emergencies of family life, Mrs.Linley only showed of what metal she was made on the very rare occasions when the latent firmness in her nature was stirred to its innermost depths.