fashion is better."

"That I contest. There is more alloy of vanity and busy-bodyism in
modern philanthropy than savor of charity."

"We shall never agree," cried Lady Angleby with mock despair. "Miss
Fairfax, this is the way with us--your grandfather and I never meet but
we fall out."

"You are not much in earnest," said Bessie. Terrible child! she had set
down this great lady as a great sham.

"To live in the world and to be absolutely truthful is very difficult,
is all but impossible," remarked Miss Burleigh with a mild
sententiousness that sounded irrelevant, but came probably in the
natural sequence of her unspoken thoughts.

"When you utter maxims like your famous progenitor you should give us
his nod too, Mary," said her aunt. Then she suddenly inquired of Mr.
Fairfax, "When do you expect Cecil?"

"Next week. He must address the electors at Norminster on Thursday. I
hope he will arrive here on Tuesday."

Lady Angleby looked full in Bessie's face, which was instantly
overspread by a haughty blush. Miss Burleigh looked anywhere else. And
both drew the same conclusion--that the young lady's imagination was all
on fire, and that her heart would not be slow to yield and melt in the
combustion. The next move was back to the octagon parlor. The young
people walked to the open window; the elders had communications to