here, Sweet Honey, I am in a process of selection. I am pledged to come
out at the ball in a unique trimming of salmon-flies.'

'My dear!' cried poor Honor, in consternation, 'you can't be so absurd.'

'It is so slow not to be absurd.'

'At fit times, yes; but to make yourself so conspicuous!'

'They say I can't help that,' returned Lucy, in a tone of comical
melancholy.

'Well, my dear, we will talk it over on Sunday, when I hope you may be in
a rational mood.'

'Don't say so,' implored Lucilla, 'or I shan't have the courage to come.
A rational mood! It is enough to frighten one away; and really I do want
very much to come. I've not heard a word yet about the Holt. How is the
old dame, this summer?'

And Lucy went on with unceasing interest about all Hiltonbury matters,
great and small, bewitching Honora more than would have seemed possible
under the circumstances. She was such a winning fairy that it was hardly
possible to treat her seriously, or to recollect causes of displeasure,
when under the spell of her caressing vivacity, and unruffled, audacious
fun.

So impregnable was her gracious good-humour, so untameable her high
spirits, that it was only by remembering the little spitfire of twelve or
fourteen years ago that it was credible that she had a temper at all; the
temper erst wont to exhale in chamois bounds and dervish pirouettes, had
apparently left not a trace behind, and the sullen ungraciousness to
those who offended her had become the sunniest sweetness, impossible to
disturb. Was it real improvement? Concealment it was not, for Lucilla
had always been transparently true. Was it not more probably connected
with that strange levity, almost insensibility, that had apparently
indurated feelings which in early childhood had seemed sensitive even to
the extent of violence? Was she only good-humoured because nothing
touched her? Had that agony of parting with her gentle father seared her
affections, till she had become like a polished gem, all bright glancing
beauty, but utterly unfeeling?

CHAPTER V

Reproof falleth on the saucy as water.--FEEJEE PROVERB

Considerate of the slender purses of her children, Honora had devoted her
carriage to fetch them to St. Wulstan's on the Sunday morning, but her
offer had been declined, on the ground that the Charteris conveyances
were free to them, and that it was better to make use of an establishment
to which Sunday was no object, than to