Ralph had met the frank advances of one of the dogs before the fire that the temperature of an English August, in the ancient expanses, had not made an impertinence.

"Do you suppose your brother's sincere ?" Isabel enquired with a smile.
"Oh, he must be, you know!" Mildred exclaimed quickly, while the elder sister gazed at our heroine in silence.
"Do you think he would stand the test ?" "The test ?" "I mean for instance having to give up all this." "Having to give up Lockleigh ?" said Miss Molyneux, finding her voice.
"Yes, and the other places; what are they called ?" The two sisters exchanged an almost frightened glance.

"Do you mean--do you mean on account of the expense ?" the younger one asked.
"I dare say he might let one or two of his houses," said the other.
"Let them for nothing ?" Isabel demanded.
"I can't fancy his giving up his property," said Miss Molyneux.
"Ah, I'm afraid he is an impostor!" Isabel returned.

"Don't you think it's a false position ?" Her companions, evidently, had lost themselves.

"My brother's position ?" Miss Molyneux enquired.
"It's thought a very good position," said the younger sister.