h the message.

"We may leave the matter entirely with Livy, mamma," said her sister,
half sarcastically; "I opine that innocence, upon the present occasion,
will carry the day."

"I am glad of it," said Mrs. Kennyfeck; "I am fatigued and out of
spirits: I 'd rather not receive visitors."

"A white frock and a little sentiment,--a sprig of jessamine and a bit
of poetry!" said Miss K., as she arranged her hair at the glass; "only
don't overdo it, Livy."

"I 'd much rather you 'd not go!" said Olivia, languidly.

"Of course, my dear, we are perfectly aware of that; but we have our
duties also. Mamma must take care that Aunt Fanny does not 'give you
away' before you 're asked for; and I must see what the result of papa's
interview with Cashel may be, lest you should make a bad market while a
good bid is being offered."

"Clever creature!" murmured Mrs. Kennyfeck, as she rose to leave the
room.

"It will seem so odd, mamma, that I'm to receive him, alone!"

"Not at all, Livy; we are packing up to go off: there are the trunks
and cap-cases all strewn about. You can be engaged with Frances, and
send her to summon us when Sir Harvey comes," said Miss Kennyfeck.

"Just so, my dear; and then you 'll entreat of him to sit down,--all
as if you had heard nothing of his note; you 'll be quite lively and
natural in your manner."

"Ah, mamma, remember what Talleyrand said to the Emperor: 'Give me the
instructions, sire, but leave the knavery to myself.' My sweet sister is
quite diplomatic enough to re-echo it."

Livy looked reproachfully at her, but said nothing.

"If I discover, my dear, that the high prize is on your ticket, I 'll
wear a handkerchief round my neck. Without you see this emblem, don't
discard your baronet."

"Mamma, is this quite fair?" said Olivia. "Cary speaks as if my heart
had no possible concern in the matter."

"Quite the reverse, my dear; but bear in mind that you have only one
heart, and it would not be altogether discreet to give it away to two
parties. Cary is always right, my love, in morals as in everything
else!"

"And how am I to behave, mamma," said Olivia, with more courage than
before, "if I am neither to refuse nor accept Sir Harvey's proposals?"

"Did you never flirt, Livy dearest? Doesn't every partner with whom you
dance twice of the same evening make advances that are neither repelled
nor received? The silliest boarding-school miss that ever blushed
before her Italian teacher