humor for conversation. If you stay longer now I might not be
sparing of my sarcasms. By the by, what has become of our young vicar?
Tell him he has not converted me yet, and I quite miss his pastoral
visits. Do you know," looking so keenly at Phillis that she blushed
with annoyance, "a little bird tells me that our pastor has undertaken
the supervision of the Friary. Which is it, my dear, that he is trying
to convert?"

The tone and manner were intolerable to Phillis.

"I don't understand you, Mrs. Cheyne," she returned, with superb
youthful haughtiness. "Mr. Drummond is a kind neighbor, and so is Miss
Mattie. You may keep these insinuations for him, if you will." Then
she would have escaped without another glance at her tormentor, but
Mrs. Cheyne detained her:

"There, never mind. I will take back my naughty speech. It was rude
and impertinent of me, I know that. But I like you all the better for
your spirit; and, my dear, take care of yourself and your pretty
sisters, for he is not worthy of one of you."

"Oh, Mrs. Cheyne! for shame!" And Phillis's gray eyes sparkled with
lively indignation.

"He is a very ordinary good young man; and you and your sisters are
real metal, and worth your weight in gold. There! go away, child; and
come and see me again, for it does me good to torment you!" And the
singular woman drew the girl into her arms suddenly and kissed her
forehead, and then pushed her away. "To-morrow, or the next day, but
not to-night," she said, hurriedly. "I should make you cross fifty
times if you stay longer to-night." And Phillis was too thankful to be
released to linger any longer; but her cheeks were burning as she
walked down the avenue.

"Why do people always put these things into girls' heads?" she said to
herself. "A young man cannot come into the house, cannot say pleasant
words, or do kind neighborly actions, but one must at once attribute
motives of this kind. I have not been free from blame myself in this
matter, for I have feared more than once that Nan's sweet face
attracted him,--poor Mr. Drummond! I hope not, for he would not have a
chance against Dick. I wonder if I ought to say a word?--if it would
be premature or unnecessary? But I should hate him to be
unhappy,"--here Phillis sighed, and then threw up her head proudly: "I
might say just a word, mentioning Dick,--for he does not know of his
existence. I wonder if he would take the hint. I could do it very
cleverly, I know. I hate