tify her in strictly retaining the whole, the fate of the poor young lady who had forfeited it, could not but be a painful theme of reflection to her. Therefore, as we said, she never encouraged her children to talk of this affair, though she was far too wise to excite their interest and curiosity by expressly forbidding it. The cabinet had been duly forwarded, with a most courteous and sympathising note to Emily, and had been accepted by her with fitting acknowledgment. And here Mrs. de Snobyn hoped all intercourse would end. But there was one of the family on whom Emily's story, as she had heard it detailed by her young aunts, made a painful and a lasting impression. This was Maude Snobbins who was in habits of kindly, though from various circumstances, not very constant intercourse with her showy relations, and who was on terms of more especial intimacy with her youngest aunt Charlotte de Snobyn, who was about her own age. The two girls hardly ever met for sometime after the great event, that " poor Mrs. Meredith!" as she was always apostrophised, did not form one subject of their conversation. "Poor wretch!" said Helena, "I never shall forget him as he sat there looking unutterable things--unuttered at least, for he never spoke. D'ye remember, Guss?" Perfectly well, Nell." 66 "Nell! Guss," repeated Mrs. de Snobyn, looking up from her writing-table with an air of displeasure, "how often have I begged that if you will indulge in these low-bred appellatives, you will at least not shock my ears with them." "We beg your pardon, dear mamma; but you know my father rather likes to hear them," said Charlotte, with a mischievous look. 66 voce. Bravo, Lotty," said her brother, sotto Mrs. de Snobyn coloured a little, she was quite aware of her daughter's covert sarcasm, but she had admirable command of temper, and never weakened her influence over her children by any petulance of manner or snappish reproofs. She replied with perfect quietude, "As your father is not in the room, Charlotte, your style of conversation could not be adopted for his satisfaction: neither have I ever had any cause to suppose, my dear, that he would feel gratified by your doing what you knew was displeasing to me." "Dear mamma," said the giddy but good-hearted girl, her eyes full of tears. "Enough, my dear," said Mrs. de Snobyn, kindly holding out her hand, and again addressing herself to her writing. Evelina came to the rescue. "Revenons a nos moutons', you were telling us of Mr. Meredith, Helena, is he a handsome man?" 66 No-yes-what do you think, mamma? -(mamma did not answer)-I don't know that he is exactly what you would call He handsome-but certainly not plain. has marked features, prominent forehead, dark complexion, and deep set flashing eyes-I should say rather striking than handsome." "Not plain-not common-looking, at any rate." 66 Oh dear no quite otherwise." 66 دو Why, my dear little Linny-oh my false tongue-my dear Evelina, I mean,' said Augustus, "why are you so anxious on that point. The gentleman-were he Apollo himself is, like Apollo, not to be had" "I am quite aware of that, brother mine neither have I the slightest penchant for penniless parsons. Nevertheless, I am very glad he is un peu distingué. For it would be sadly out of keeping for the hero of a romance, and of such a romance, to be common-looking, or merely personable." 66 Probably if he had been common looking the romance would not have been enacted at all, and we might have continued to vegetate here instead of looking forward as we now do to the delights of Connaught Place." "Yes," said Evelina, "I think we are bound henceforth to hold beetling brows and flashing eyes in especial reverence." "I think," said Helena, "we should have an altar in our new house dedicated to the god of beauty." "But you said he was not beautiful," said Evelina. "Soyez tranquille-he was beautiful enough, fortunately for us, to fascinate Mrs. Meredith," said Augustus. "Yes," said Charlotte, "and I fancy, as that silent child might say, 'she's pleased her eyes and pained her heart.' Hey, Maude, won't that do? Isn't that worthy of dear Grandmamma Snobbins herself?" 66 Grandmamma Snobbins may have been a very homely woman-I suppose |