he has been left to nurses and governesses, and from what I
can hear, has ruled _them_, instead of the other way about. You can see
by the tone of her father's letter that he is absurdly prejudiced."

"That is natural, perhaps, with an only child, left to him in such
peculiarly sad circumstances. We must not judge him hardly for that,"
said little Mrs Ramsden, kindly. "Has the girl herself ever written to
you before, may I ask, or is this her first communication?"

Miss Briskett's back stiffened, and her thin lips set in a straight
line.

"She has addressed little notes to me from time to time; on birthdays,
and Christmases, and so on; but to tell you the truth, my dear, I have
not encouraged their continuance. They were unduly familiar, and I
object to being addressed by abbreviations of my name. Ideas as to what
is right and fitting seem to differ on different sides of the Atlantic!"

"They do, indeed. I have always understood that young people are
brought into quite undue prominence in American households. And their
manners, too! One sees in that postscript--you don't mind my saying so,
just between ourselves--a--a _broadness_--"

"Quite so! I feel it myself. I am most grieved, about it. Cornelia is
my niece, and Edward is the head of the family. Her position as his
only child is one of importance, and I feel distressed that she is so
little qualified to adorn it. She has been well educated, I believe;
has `graduated,' as they call it; but she has evidently none of our
English polish. Quite in confidence, Mrs Ramsden, I feel that she may
be somewhat of a shock to the neighbourhood!"

"You think of receiving her, then? Your brother leaves you the option
of refusing, and I should think things over very seriously before
incurring such a responsibility. A three-months' visit! I doubt you
could not stand the strain! If you excused yourself on the ground of
health, no offence could possibly be taken."

But at that Miss Briskett protested strongly.

"Oh, my dear, I could not refuse! Edward wishes to find a home for the
girl, and says he would be relieved to have her with me. I could not
possibly refuse! I think I may say that I have never yet shirked a
duty, distasteful though it might be, and I must not do so now. I shall
cable to say that I will be pleased to receive Cornelia, when it suits
her to arrive."

Mrs Ramsden crumbled her seed-cake and wondered why--that being the
case--she had be