how her heart beat as she said it. Their cousin Lydia was a faint, shadowy
figure to them, and the suggestion that Miss Sampson might prove to be
related to her husband aroused no interest in their minds. Tom never
thought of it again till Rose mentioned Miss Sampson as they were
travelling up to Victoria.

"I wish Aunt Lucy hadn't taken her up like this," she said impatiently.
"Pauline will be vexed, for she advised Aunt Lucy to have nothing to do
with her."

"But if she is our cousin," suggested Tom, with a twinkle in his blue
eyes, "don't you think we are bound to patronise our relations?"

"How could she be our cousin? Don't be so foolish, Tom," Rose answered
sharply.

"A family connection, then," returned Tom. "But perhaps you had better not
mention the possibility to Miss Smythe. It would shock her too much. All
her relations are in Debrett, aren't they?"

Rose looked doubtfully at him. "I never know whether you like Pauline or
not, Tom," she said. "But I am sure you never heard her boast of her
relations."

"No, I never did, my dear; but I have somehow gathered the fact that they
are very fine people indeed. I always feel I ought to be ashamed that we
did not come over at the Conquest when I am talking to Miss Smythe."

"Now you are laughing at her," returned Rose, with some indignation in her
voice. "I believe you are always laughing at her, Tom. And it is just