.

"She has always been very good to Hugh," said Mrs. Stanbury.

"I don't think she has been good to him at all," said Priscilla.

"But think what a saving it would be," said Dorothy. "And I could
send home half of what Aunt Stanbury says she would give me."

"You must not think of that," said Priscilla, "because she expects
you to be dressed."

"I should like to try," she said, before the morning was over,--"if
you and mamma don't think it would be wrong."

The conference that day ended in a written request to Aunt Stanbury
that a week might be allowed for consideration,--the letter being
written by Priscilla, but signed with her mother's name,--and with a
very long epistle to Hugh, in which each of the ladies took a part,
and in which advice and decision were demanded. It was very evident
to Hugh that his mother and Dorothy were for compliance, and that
Priscilla was for refusal. But he never doubted for a moment. "Of
course she will go," he said in his answer to Priscilla; "and she
must understand that Aunt Stanbury is a most excellent woman, as true
as the sun, thoroughly honest, with no fault but this, that she likes
her own way. Of course Dolly can go back again if she finds the house
too hard for her." Then he sent another five-pound note, observing
that Dolly's journey to Exeter would cost money, and that her
wardrobe would want some improvement.

"I'm very glad that it isn't me," said Priscilla, who, however, did
not attempt to oppose the decision of the man of the family. Dorothy
was greatly gratified by the excitement of the proposed change in
her life, and the following letter, the product of the wisdom of the
family, was written by Mrs. Stanbury:--

Nuncombe Putney, 1st May, 186--.

MY DEAR SISTER STANBURY,

We are all very thankful for the kindness of your offer,
which my daughter Dorothy will accept with feelings of
affectionate gratitude. I think you will find her docile,
good-tempered, and amiable; but a mother, of course,
speaks well of her own child. She will endeavour to comply
with your wishes in all things reasonable. She, of course,
understands that should the arrangement not suit, she will
come back home on the expression of your wish that it
should be so. And she will, of course, do the same, if she
should find that living in Exeter does not suit herself.
[This sentence was inserted at the instance of Priscilla,
after much urgent expostul