in so
young a girl. Such tastes generally develop later."

Mrs. Lombard looked up eagerly. "That's what I say! I was quite
different at her age, you know. I liked dancing, and doing a pretty bit
of fancy-work. Not that I couldn't sketch, too; I had a master down from
London. My aunts have some of my crayons hung up in their drawing-room
now--I did a view of Kenilworth which was thought pleasing. But I liked
a picnic, too, or a pretty walk through the woods with young people of
my own age. I say it's more natural, Mr. Wyant; one may have a feeling
for art, and do crayons that are worth framing, and yet not give up
everything else. I was taught that there were other things."

Wyant, half-ashamed of provoking these innocent confidences, could not
resist another question. "And Miss Lombard cares for nothing else?"

Her mother looked troubled.

"Sybilla is so clever--she says I don't understand. You know how
self-confident young people are! My husband never said that of
me, now--he knows I had an excellent education. My aunts were very
particular; I was brought up to have opinions, and my husband has always
respected them. He says himself that he wouldn't for the world miss
hearing my opinion on any subject; you may have noticed that he often
refers to my tastes. He has always respected my preference for living
in England; he likes to hear me give my reasons for it. He is so much
interested in my ideas that he often says he knows just what I am going
to say before I speak. But Sybilla does not care for what I think--"

At this point Doctor Lombard entered. He glanced sharply at Wyant. "The
servant is a fool; she didn't tell me you were here." His eye turned to
his wife. "Well, my dear, what have you been telling Mr. Wyant? About
the aunts at Bonchurch, I'll be bound!"

Mrs. Lombard looked triumphantly at Wyant, and her husband rubbed his
hooked fingers, with a smile.

"Mrs. Lombard's aunts are very superior women. They subscribe to the
circulating library, and borrow Good Words and the Monthly Packet from
the curate's wife across the way. They have the rector to tea twice a
year, and keep a page-boy, and are visited by two baronets' wives. They
devoted themselves to the education of their orphan niece, and I think
I may say without boasting that Mrs. Lombard's conversation shows marked
traces of the advantages she enjoyed."

Mrs. Lombard colored with pleasure.

"I was telling Mr. Wyant that my aunts were very parti