oment when the door was shut, Phoebe could only sink into a chair,
untie her bonnet, and fan herself. Such oppressive good-nature was more
fatiguing than a ten miles' walk, or than the toughest lesson in
political economy.

'If nature have her own ladies,' was Honora's comment on her young
friend's exhaustion, 'she likewise has her own dairy-maids!'

'Miss Charteris is a lady,' said Phoebe, her sense of the intended
kindness of her hostess calling her to speak in vindication.

'Yes,' said Honor, hesitating; 'it is station that emboldens her. If she
had been a dairy-maid, she would have been a bouncing rude girl; if a
farmer's daughter, she would be hearty and useful; if one of the boasters
of gentility, she would think it worth while to restrain herself; as she
is, her acknowledged birth and breeding enable her to follow her
inclinations without fear of opinion.'

'I thought refinement was one great characteristic of a lady,' said
Phoebe.

'So it is, but affectation and false shame are the contrary. Refinement
was rather overworked, and there has been a reaction of late; simplicity
and unconstraint have been the fashion, but unfortunately some
dispositions are not made to be unconstrained.'

'Lucy is just as unrestrained as her cousin,' said Phoebe, 'but she never
seems like her. She offends one's judgment sometimes, but never one's
taste--at least hardly ever;' and Phoebe blushed as she thought of what
had passed about her sister that day.

'Poor Lucy! it is one misfortune of pretty people, that they can seldom
do what is taken amiss. She is small and feminine too, and essentially
refined, whatever she can do. But I was very sorry for you to-day,
Phoebe. Tell me all about your sister, my dear.'

'They knew more than I did, if all that is true,' said Phoebe. 'Augusta
wrote--oh! so kindly--and seemed so glad, that it made me very happy.
And papa gave his consent readily to Robert's doing as he pleased, and
almost said something about his taking me to the wedding at Paris. If
Lucy should--should accept Robin, I wonder if she would go too, and be
bridesmaid!'

So they comforted themselves with a few pretty auguries, dressed, and
went down to dinner, where Phoebe had made sure that, as before, Lucy
would sit next Robin, and be subdued. Alas, no! Ladies were far too
scarce articles for even the last but one to be the prize of a mere B.A.
To know who were Phoebe's own neighbours would have been distractio