is profession, and, I will also say, from the class
in life he sprang from." Here Mrs. Kennyfeck, who had spoken like one
delivering an oracle, stopped to drop a tear over the sad _mesalliance_
which had condemned her to become the wife of an attorney. "Olivia, my
dear, circumstances have disclosed the nature of the interview which
Mr. Kennyfeck would not confide to us. It is one in which you are deeply
concerned, my dear. Have you any suspicion to what I allude?"

Olivia assumed her very sweetest look of innocence, but made no reply.

"Mamma wants you to be candid enough to say, if there is anything in the
way of particular attention you may have received lately, which should
corroborate the impressions we entertain."

Miss Kennyfeck delivered these words so categorically, that her sister
well knew how, in the event of refusal, a searching cross-examination
was reserved for her.

Olivia looked down, and a very slight embarrassment might be detected in
the quickened heaving of her chest.

"Tell us, my darling," said Aunt Fanny, "if--if any one has, in a manner
so to say--you understand--eh?"

"Keep the blushes, Livy, for another time; they look beautiful with
orange flowers in the hair," said her sister; "but be candid with us."

"If you mean attentions, mamma--"

"We mean attentions, 'and something more,' as Lord Lyndburst says,"
interposed Miss Kennyfeck, who felt that she was the proper person to
conduct the inquiry.

"I cannot positively say, mamma, that we are engaged, but I believe that
if you and pa made no obstacles--if, in fact, you are satisfied that his
rank and fortune are sufficient for your expectations, as I own they are
for mine--"

"What humility!" exclaimed Miss Kennyfeck, holding up her hands.

"Hush, Cary--go on, Livy," said her mother.

"I have no more to say, mamma. Sir Harvey told me--"

"Sir Harvey!" cried Mrs. Kennyfeck.

"Sir Harvey Upton!" echoed Miss Kennyfeck.

"The man with the hair all over his face!" exclaimed Aunt Fanny, whose
western habits had not accustomed her to mustaches.

Olivia stared from one to the other in mingled fear and astonishment.
She suddenly saw that she had been betrayed into a confession to which
they did not possess the slightest clew; she also perceived that the
tidings, for which she anticipated a most joyous welcome, were received
with coldness and almost disdain.

"He is a baronet, mamma, with very great expectations," said she,
proudly; for