insist that Raymond should force Cecil to apologize.
"My dear," he said, "don't you know there are things easier to ask
than to obtain?"

To which Rosamond replied, in another gust, that she would never
again sit down to table with Cecil until she had apologized for the
insult, not to herself, she did not care about that, but to the
mother who had seen her dresses tried on: Julius must tell Raymond
so, or take her away to any cottage at once. She would not stay
where people blamed mamma and poisoned his mind against her! She
believed he cared for them more than for her!

Julius had sympathized far longer with her offended feeling than
another could have done; but he was driven to assert himself.
"Nonsense, Rose, you know better," he said, in a voice of
displeasure; but she pouted forth, "I don't know it. You believe
every one against me, and you won't take my part against that nasty
little spiteful prig!"

"Cecil has behaved very ill to you," said Julius, granting her
rather over much; "but she is a foolish conceited child, who does
not deserve that Raymond should be worried about her. I foresee
plenty of grievances from her; but, Rosie, we must and will not let
her come between us and Raymond. You don't know what a brother he
has been to me--I hardly think I could have got through my first
year at school but for him; and I don't think my sweet Rose could
wish to do me such an ill turn as to stir up a feud with such a
brother because his wife is provoking."

The luncheon-bell began to sound, and she sobbed out, "There then,
go down, leave me alone! Go to them, since you are so fond of them
all!"

"I don't think you could come down as you are," said Julius,
gravely; "I will bring you something."

"It would choke me--choke me!" she sobbed out.

Julius knew enough of the De Lancy temperament to be aware that
words carried them a long way, and he thought solitude would be so
beneficial, that he summoned resolution to leave her; but he had not
the face to appear alone, nor offer fictions to excuse her absence,
so he took refuge in his dressing-room, until he had seen Cecil and
Anne ride away from the hall door together.

For the two sisters-in-law had held a little indignation meeting,
and Rosamond's misdemeanour had so far drawn them together, that
Cecil had offered to take Anne to see the working party, and let her
assist thereat.

The coast being clear, Julius went down, encountering nothing worse
tha