at
Honora particularly hated; there was always such deference to Miss
Charlecote, and such an assumption of affection for the children, and
gratitude for her care of them, and Miss Charlecote had not been an
heiress early enough in life for such attentions to seem matters of
course.

It was explained that there was no school-room at present, and as a girl
of Lucilla's age, who was already a guest, joined the rest of the party
at dinner, it was proposed that she and her brother should do the same,
provided Miss Charlecote did not object. Honor was really glad of the
gratification for Lucilla, and Mrs. Charteris agreed with her before she
had time to express her opinion as to girls being kept back or brought
forward.

Honor found herself lodged in great state, in a world of looking-glass
that had perfectly scared her poor little Hiltonbury maiden, and with a
large dressing-room, where she hoped to have seen a bed for Lucilla, but
she found that the little girl was quartered in another story, near the
cousins; and unwilling to imply distrust, and hating to incite obsequious
compliance, she did not ask for any change, but only begged to see the
room.

It was in a long passage whence doors opened every way, and one being
left ajar, sounds of laughter and talking were heard in tones as if the
young ladies were above good breeding in their private moments. Mrs.
Charteris said something about her daughters' morning-room, and was
leading the way thither, when an unguarded voice exclaimed--'Rouge dragon
and all,' and a start and suppressed laughter at the entrance of the
newcomers gave an air of having been caught.

Four young ladies, in _degage_ attitudes, were lounging round their
afternoon refection of tea. Two, Caroline and Horatia Charteris, shook
hands with Miss Charlecote, and kissed Lucilla, who still looked at them
ungraciously, followed Honora's example in refusing their offer of tea,
and only waiting to learn her own habitation, came down to her room to be
dressed for dinner, and to criticize cousins, aunt, house and all. The
cousins were not striking--both were on a small scale, Caroline the best
looking in features and complexion, but Horatia the most vivacious and
demonstrative, and with an air of dash and fashion that was more
effective than beauty. Lucilla, not sensible to these advantages,
broadly declared both young ladies to be frights, and commented so freely
on them to the willing ears of Owen, who