ork in the old-fashioned way? "They are very hard to
manage," said Mrs. Harold Smith to herself, thinking of her own sex.

"He was coming here himself," said she, "but I advised him not to do
so."

"That was so kind of you."

"I thought that I could explain to you more openly and more freely,
what his intentions really are."

"Oh! I have no doubt that they are honourable," said Miss Dunstable.
"He does not want to deceive me in that way, I am quite sure." It was
impossible to help laughing, and Mrs. Harold Smith did laugh. "Upon
my word you would provoke a saint," said she.

"I am not likely to get into any such company by the alliance that
you are now suggesting to me. There are not many saints usually at
Chaldicotes, I believe;--always excepting my dear bishop and his
wife."

"But, my dear, what am I to say to Nathaniel?"

"Tell him, of course, how much obliged to him I am."

"Do listen to me one moment. I dare say that I have done wrong to
speak to you in such a bold, unromantic way."

"Not at all. The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
That's what we agreed upon. But one's first efforts in any line are
always apt to be a little uncouth."

"I will send Nathaniel to you himself."

"No, do not do so. Why torment either him or me? I do like
your brother; in a certain way I like him much. But no earthly
consideration would induce me to marry him. Is it not so glaringly
plain that he would marry me for my money only, that you have not
even dared to suggest any other reason?"

"Of course it would have been nonsense to say that he had no regard
whatever towards your money."

"Of course it would--absolute nonsense. He is a poor man with a good
position, and he wants to marry me because I have got that which
he wants. But, my dear, I do not want that which he has got, and
therefore the bargain would not be a fair one."

"But he would do his very best to make you happy."

"I am so much obliged to him; but you see, I am very happy as I am.
What should I gain?"

"A companion whom you confess that you like."

"Ah! but I don't know that I should like too much even of such a
companion as your brother. No, my dear--it won't do. Believe me when
I tell you, once for all, that it won't do."

"Do you mean, then, Miss Dunstable, that you'll never marry?"

"To-morrow--if I met any one that I fancied, and he would have me.
But I rather think that any that I may fancy won't have me. In the
first pla