ably-planned schemes
to escape a difficulty, were only so much labour lost. A stern message
from her father commanded her to make no change either in the house or the
service of the dinner--an interference with domestic cares so novel on
his part as to show that he had prepared himself for hostilities, and was
resolved to meet his enemy boldly.

'It's no use, all I have been telling you, Nina,' said Kate, as she
re-entered her room, later in the day. 'Papa orders me to have everything
as usual, and won't even let me give Miss Betty an early dinner, though he
knows she has nine miles of a ride to reach home.'

'That explains somewhat a message he has sent myself,' replied Nina, 'to
wear my very prettiest toilet and my Greek cap, which he admired so much
the other day.'

'I am almost glad that _my_ wardrobe has nothing attractive,' said Kate,
half sadly. 'I certainly shall never be rebuked for my becomingness.'

'And do you mean to say that the old woman would be rude enough to extend
her comments to _me_?'

'I have known her do things quite as hardy, though I hope on the present
occasion the other novelties may shelter you.'

'Why isn't your brother here? I should insist on his coming down in
discreet black, with a white tie and that look of imposing solemnity young
Englishmen assume for dinner.'

'Dick guessed what was coming, and would not encounter it.'

'And yet you tell me you submit to all this for no earthly reason. She can
leave you no legacy, contribute in no way to your benefit. She has neither
family, fortune, nor connections; and, except her atrocious manners and
her indomitable temper, there is not a trait of her that claims to be
recorded.'

'Oh yes; she rides capitally to hounds, and hunts her own harriers to
perfection.'

'I am glad she has one quality that deserves your favour.'

'She has others, too, which I like better than what they call
accomplishments. She is very kind to the poor, never deterred by any
sickness from visiting them, and has the same stout-hearted courage for
every casualty in life.'

'A commendable gift for a squaw, but what does a gentlewoman want with this
same courage?'

'Look out of the window, Nina, and see where you are living! Throw your
eyes over that great expanse of dark bog, vast as one of the great
campagnas you have often described to us, and bethink you how mere
loneliness--desolation--needs a stout heart to bear it; how the simple
fact that for the lon