e angry
lady, "and so do their connections for them. I declare Mrs Grey sits
winking at my mother when Miss Ibbotson has a colour, as if nobody ever
saw a good complexion before. I declare it makes me sick. Now, Philip,
you have been fairly warned; and if you fall into the trap, you will not
deserve any consideration from me."

"I have let you lay down the law to me, sister, in your own way, because
I know your way. Say what you please to me of myself and my affairs,
and a joke is the worst that will come of it. But I tell you gravely,
that I will not hear of traps--I will not hear imputations like those
you have just spoken against these young ladies or their connections,
without rebuke. You can know nothing of the Miss Ibbotsons which can
justify this conversation."

"I shall soon believe you are in love," cried the lady, in high
resentment.

"Only take care what grounds you go upon before you speak and act,
sister. In my turn, I give you fair warning how you take any measures
against them, even in your own inmost mind, without being quite sure
what you are about."

"You do not say now that you do not mean to have that girl?" cried Mrs
Rowland, fixing her fiery eyes upon her brother's face.

"Why should I? You have not set about obtaining my confidence in any
way which could succeed. If I am in love, it would not be easy to own
it upon such unwarrantable pressure. If I am not in love--"

"Ah! If you are not--"

"In that case I am disinclined to make my not caring for them the
condition, on which those young ladies may receive your civilities.
These civilities are due to them, whatever I may feel or intend; and my
respect for them is such that I shall keep my mind to myself."

"At least," said the lady, somewhat humbled, "do not be so much with
them. For my sake, do not go into the schoolroom again."

"I am sorry I cannot oblige you," said he, smiling, "but I must go at
this moment:--not to sit down,--not to speak five words, however,--but
only to get my hat. I have to go into the village, on an errand for the
children. Can I do anything for you in the village?"

"She thinks only of Hester, it is plain," thought he. "If I am to have
any more lectures and advice, I hope they will proceed on the same
supposition: it will make my part easier, and save my being driven to
assert my own will, and so plunging poor Priscilla into hysterics. I
can bear her interference, as long as Margaret's name is