was determined not to be beaten by these
long-bearded, long-petticoated men; and the next trial was crowned with
complete success.

"Now, Mrs. Lyndsay, is it not a shame that these selfish men should be
tamely allowed by us foolish women to monopolise all the good things of
life, and make that criminal in a female which they cannot deny
themselves? You don't know how much you lose, by being frightened by
their blustering into passive obedience, and persuaded that what is good
for a man is quite out of keeping with a woman. Do, just by way of
illustration to my argument, try one of those fragrant cigars. They are
of the best quality--real Havana--'pon honour."

"You must excuse me," said Flora, laughing--as Miss Wilhelmina's head
dimly loomed through clouds of smoke--"I have no wish to acquire such a
taste."

"You're a little fool," puffed forth Wilhelmina. "But I hope to make
something out of you yet. Take a glass of wine."

"I never drink anything but water, excepting at breakfast and tea."

"Water! Fiddle-faddle. A tumbler of hot punch will do you no harm. I am
going to mix some in the most scientific manner."

"Only think what Lyndsay would say," cried Flora, "if he should come in,
and find me smoking a cigar, and drinking brandy punch? He would never
forgive me--I could never forgive myself."

"All stuff and nonsense; I am certain he would neither refuse one of
these cigars, nor a tumbler of this excellent punch. Does he never
smoke?"

"Oh, yes; a cigar, sometimes."

"And takes a glass of toddy--or he's no Scot."

"Occasionally, with a friend."

"A male friend, _of course_. He takes snuff, for I have seen him do it;
and this, between ourselves, is a far dirtier habit than smoking. I hate
snuff; it always reminds me of a lecture I once heard upon that subject
in America. The lecturer was a methodist; and he spoke very vehemently
against the use of tobacco in any shape; but snuff-taking seemed to
rouse him up, and inflame his indignation to a pitch of enthusiasm. 'If
the Almighty,' he said, 'had intended a man's nose for a dust-hole, he
would have turned up the nostrils the other way.' These were his very
words; and to me they were so convincing, that I discarded from that
moment all idea of becoming a snuff-taker."

Wilhelmina emptied her tumbler of brandy and water, which she as quickly
replenished. These strong potations began to take effect--her eyes
danced in her head, and she became so strangely e