'He has been brought up so as to make the theory of wisdom come early,'
said Philip, who was nearer than she thought.

'Is that intended for disparagement?' she asked quickly.

I think very highly of him; he has a great deal of sense and right
feeling,' was Philip's sedate answer; and he turned away to say some
last words to Mr. Thorndale.

The Rosses were the last to depart, Mary in cloak and clogs, while Mr.
Edmonstone lamented that it was in vain to offer the carriage; and Mary
laughed, and thanked, and said the walk home with Papa was the greatest
of treats in the frost and star-light.

'Don't I pity you, who always go out to dinner in a carriage!' were her
last words to Laura.

'Well, Guy,' said Charlotte, 'how do you like it?'

'Very much, indeed. It was very pleasant.'

'You are getting into the fairy ring,' said Laura, smiling.

'Ay' he said, smiling too; 'but it does not turn to tinsel. Would it
if I saw more of it?' and he looked at Mrs, Edmonstone.

'It would be no compliment to ourselves to say so,' she answered.

'I suppose tinsel or gold depends on the using,' said he, thoughtfully;
'there are some lumps of solid gold among those papers, I am sure, one,