herself clear of her little absurdities."

"That is contrary to the usual destiny of strong-minded women," said
Bessie.

"She is not a strong-minded woman, she only has been made to believe
herself one," said Ermine, warmly.

With this last encounter, Bessie and her brother took leave, and the
last at once exclaimed, in sentimental tones, "Generous rivals! I
never saw so good a comedy in all my days! To disclose the fatal
truth, and then bring the rival fair ones face to face!"

"If that were your belief, Bessie, the demon of teasing has fuller
possession of you than I knew."

"Ah! I forgot," exclaimed Bessie, "it is tender ground with you
likewise. Alas! Alick, sisterly affection cannot blind me to the
fact of that unrequited admiration for your honourable rival."

"What, from the strong-minded Curtia?"

"Ah! but have we not just heard that this is not the genuine article,
only a country-made imitation? No wonder it was not proof against an
honourable colonel in a brown beard."

"So much the better; only unluckily there has been a marked avoidance
of him."

"Yes; the Colonel was sacrificed with all other trivial incidents at