made Harrison a gentleman? Can even
dress in better taste make Pauline look as much a lady as Miss Piper?'

'There is a good deal in that,' said Mrs. Nesbit. 'Even Lady Elizabeth
Brandon cannot hide her good blood, though she does her best to do so.'

'And so does Emma,' said Theodora.

'Foolish girl,' said Mrs. Nesbit, 'I would have given anything to see
her attractive.'

'Too late now!' said Theodora, with a look of repressed scorn and
triumph.

'Too late for ARTHUR,' replied Mrs. Nesbit, with emphasis. 'And you'll
never, never succeed in the other quarter!'

'Young people always have those fancies. I know what you would say, but
John is not so young now. It is just the time of life when men take a
turn. Depend upon it, now he has had his boy's romance, he is not going
to play the disconsolate lover for the rest of his life. No! that girl
shall never be Lady Martindale.'

'Well, I shan't dispute' said Theodora; 'but--'

'Believe when you see, said Mrs. Nesbit.

'And so you mean it to be Emma Brandon,' said Theodora, with the same
sarcastic incredulity.

'Let me tell you there are things more unlikely. John thinks much of
Lady Elizabeth, and is just one of the men to marry a plain quiet girl,
fancying she would be the more domestic; and for yourself, you would
find Emma very accommodating--never in your way.'

'No indeed,' said Theodora.

'Nothing could give your mother more pleasure. It is more than ever
important now. What have you seen of Arthur's piece of wax? He seems to
have been playing with her all day long.'

'Yes, poor fellow,' said Theodora, sighing. 'However, it might have been
worse. I believe she is an innocent child, and very ladylike.'

'There is an instance of the effect of your dissemination notions! This
would never have happened if every country attorney did not bring up his
daughters to pass for ladies!'

'I am glad she is nothing outwardly to be ashamed of.'

'I had rather that she was than for her to have the opportunity of
worming herself into favour! Those modest airs and her way of peeping up
under her eyelashes seem to make a great impression,' said Mrs. Nesbit,
with a sneer.

'Really, I think she is simple and shy.'

Mrs. Nesbit laughed. 'You, too! What has she to do with shyness? She has
had her lesson; but you are like the rest! Your mamma actually proposing
to take her likeness, but I told her it was not to be thought of. There
will be plenty to fill her with presu