us of
feeling brighter and more alert than for many years past. She no longer
reigned as monarch over all she surveyed. A Czar of Russia, suddenly
confronted by a Duma of Radical principles and audacious energy, could
not feel more proudly aggrieved and antagonistic, but it is conceivable
that a Czar might cherish a secret affection for the leader of an
opposition who showed himself honest, clever, and affectionate. In
conclave with her own heart, Miss Briskett acknowledged that she
cherished a distinct partiality for her niece, but in view of the said
niece's tendency to conceit, the partiality was rigorously concealed.

As for Norton society, it welcomed Cornelia with open arms; that is to
say, all the old ladies of Miss Briskett's acquaintance called upon her,
inquired if she liked England, and sent their maids round the following
day with neat little notes inviting aunt and niece to take tea on a
certain afternoon at half-past four o'clock. These tea-drinkings soon
became a daily occurrence, and Cornelia's attitude towards them was one
of consecutive anticipation, amusement, and ennui. You dressed up in
your best clothes; you sat in rows round a stuffy room; you drank stewed
tea, and ate buttered cakes. You met every day the same--everlastingly
the same ladies, dressed in the same garments, and listened every day to
the same futile talk. From the older ladies, criticisms of last
Sunday's sermon, and details of household grievances; from the younger,
"_Have_ you seen Miss Horby's new hat? _Did_ you hear the latest about
the Briggs? ... I'm going to have blue, with lace insertions..."

Cornelia bore it meekly for a week on end, and then she struck. Two
notes were discovered lying upon the breakfast-table containing
invitations to two more tea-parties. "So kind of them! You will like
to go, won't you, my dear?" said Miss Briskett, pouring out coffee.

"No, I shan't, then!" answered Cornelia, ladling out bacon. Her curling
lips were pressed together, her flexible eyebrows wrinkled towards the
nose. If Edward B Briskett had been present he would have recognised
signals of breakers ahead! "I guess I'm about full up of tea-parties.
I'm not going to any more, this side Jordan!"

"Not going, my dear?" Miss Briskett choked with mingled amazement and
dismay. "Why not, if you please? You have no other engagements. My
friends pay you the honour of an invitation. It is my wish that you
accept. You surely c