yet. And Lady Rosamond! She is
delightful!"

"Have you seen her!"

"We met them just now in the village, but my brother is enchanted.
And do you know what was Julius's first introduction to her? It was
at a great school-feast, where they had the regimental children as
well as the town ones. A poor little boy went off in an epileptic
fit, and Julius found her holding him, with her own hand in his
mouth to hinder the locking of the teeth. He said her fingers were
bitten almost to the bone, but she made quite light of it."

"That was nice!" said Anne; but then, with a startled glance, and in
an undertone, she added, "Are they Christians?"

Joanna Bowater paused for a moment between dismay and desire for
consideration, and in that moment her father called to her, "Jenny,
do you remember the dimensions of those cottages in Queckett's
Lane?" and she had to come and serve for his memory, while he was
indoctrinating a younger squire with the duties of a landlord.

Meanwhile Mrs. Bowater was, for the tenth time, consulting her old
friend upon Mrs. Hornblower's capabilities of taking care of
Herbert, and betraying a little disappointment that his first sermon
had not yet been heard; and when his voice was complimented, she
hoped Julius would spare it--too much exertion could not be good for
so young a man, and though dear Herbert looked so strong, no one
would believe how much sleep he required. Then she observed, "We
found Camilla Vivian--Lady Tyrrell I mean--calling. Have you seen
her?"

"No."

"Well, she really seems improved!"

"Mr. Bowater has been telling me she is handsomer than ever!"

"Oh yes! That's all gentlemen think of; but I meant in other ways.
She seems full of the rebuilding of St. Nicholas, and to be making
great friends with your new daughter. You don't think," lowering
her voice, "that Raymond would have any objection to meeting her?"

"Certainly not!"

"I did not suppose he would, but I thought I would just ask you. It
would be rather marked not to invite him for the 3rd, you know; and
Jenny was always so fond of poor Emily, kept up a correspondence
with her to the last. It was the first time she had met the little
one since they came back. Not that she is little now, she is very
tall and quite handsome _even_ by the side of Edith. We just saw
Lady Rosamond--a sweet face--and Herbert perfectly raves about her!"

"She is a most unselfish warm-hearted creature!" said Mrs. Poynsett.