or does it simply mean that
they're fond of their own way?"

"Whatever else it means, it's pretty sure to mean that," Mr. Touchett
remarked.

"You'll see for yourself," said Lord Warburton. "When does Mrs. Touchett
arrive?"

"We're quite in the dark; as soon as she can find a decent cabin.
She may be waiting for it yet; on the other hand she may already have
disembarked in England."

"In that case she would probably have telegraphed to you."

"She never telegraphs when you would expect it--only when you don't,"
said the old man. "She likes to drop on me suddenly; she thinks she'll
find me doing something wrong. She has never done so yet, but she's not
discouraged."

"It's her share in the family trait, the independence she speaks of."
Her son's appreciation of the matter was more favourable. "Whatever the
high spirit of those young ladies may be, her own is a match for it. She
likes to do everything for herself and has no belief in any one's power
to help her. She thinks me of no more use than a postage-stamp without
gum, and she would never forgive me if I should presume to go to
Liverpool to meet her."

"Will you at least let me know when your cousin arrives?" Lord Warburton
asked.

"Only on the condition I've mentioned--that you don't fall in love with
her!" Mr. Touchett replied.

"That strikes me as hard, don't you think me good enough?"

"I think you too good--because I shouldn't like her to marry you. She
hasn't come here to look for a husband, I hope; so many young ladies are
doing that, as if there were no good ones at home. Then she's probably
engaged; American girls are usually engaged, I believe. Moreover I'm not
sure, after all, that you'd be a remarkable husband."

"Very likely she's engaged; I've known a good many American girls, and
they always were; but I could never see that it made any difference,
upon my word! As for my being a good husband," Mr. Touchett's visitor
pursued, "I'm not sure of that either. One can but try!"

"Try as much as you please, but don't try on my niece," smiled the old
man, whose opposition to the idea was broadly humorous.

"Ah, well," said Lord Warburton with a humour broader still, "perhaps,
after all, she's not worth trying on!"

CHAPTER II

While this exchange of pleasantries took place between the two Ralph
Touchett wandered away a little, with his usual slouching gait, his
hands in his pockets and his little rowdyish terrier at his heels. His
face