I said: "Helena thinks my figure is better than my face. But do
I really walk well? Nobody ever told me that."

She answered: "Philip Dunboyne thinks so. He said to me, 'I
resist the temptation because I might be wanting in respect if
I gave way to it. But I should like to follow her when she goes
out--merely for the pleasure of seeing her walk.' "

I stood stockstill. I said nothing. When you are as proud as
a peacock (which never happened to me before), I find you can't
move and can't talk. You can only enjoy yourself.

Kind Mrs. Staveley had more things to tell me. She said: "I am
interested in Philip. I lived near Fairmount in the time before
I was married; and in those days he was a child. I want him to
marry a charming girl, and be happy."

What made me think directly of Miss Staveley? What made me mad
to know if she was the charming girl? I was bold enough to ask
the question. Mrs. Staveley turned to me with that mischievous
look which I have noticed already. I felt as if I had been
running at the top of my speed, and had not got my breath
again, yet.

But this good motherly friend set me at my ease. She explained
herself: "Philip is not much liked, poor fellow, in our house.
My husband considers him to be weak and vain and fickle. And
my daughter agrees with her father. There are times when she is
barely civil to Philip. He is too good-natured to complain, but