or ladies; Mrs.
Tallboys is to explain her views in the evenings at the Principal
houses in the neighbourhood. She will begin here on Wednesday
week."

"Why, that's before Raymond comes back!"

"This is entirely for women."

"Women! women's rights! How have you got Mrs. Poynsett to consent?"

"I have carte blanche in these matters."

"Do you mean that you have not consulted her? Does Raymond know?
Oh! Yes, I see I have no right to ask; but, Cecil, for your own
sake, I entreat you to consider what you are about, before running
into such a frightful scrape!" and Rosamond impulsively caught the
hand that was still putting in a letter; but Cecil stood still, not
withdrawing or moving a muscle, perfectly impassive. Rosamond went
on more eagerly, "Oh yes, I know you don't like me--I'm only a poor
battered soldier's daughter, quite an unworthy associate for a
Charnock of the Charnocks; but I can't help begging you to consider
the consequences of sending out invitations to hear this strange
woman hold forth in Mrs. Poynsett's own house, in your husband's
absence."

"Thank you for your solicitude," said Cecil, dropping in her
envelope the instant the obstructive hand was removed, and going on
her way with dignified self-possession; while Rosamond, in a tumult
of indignation, which made her scarcely comprehensible, rushed up to
her husband at his writing, and poured out her story.

Clio advocating female supremacy in Mrs. Poynsett's own house,
without notice to her! Should she be warned in time to stop the
letters? Should Raymond be written to? Rosamond was for both,
Julius for neither. He said that either way would begin a system
that could never be forgiven; and that they had better consider
themselves as practically at the Rectory, and not interfere.

"How can you be so cold-blooded?" cried she.

"I do not want to do worse harm. My mother will learn what is to
happen sooner or later; and then she can put a stop to it in any way
she chooses."

"I wish she would send in Mrs. Crabtree with her tawse!" said
Rosamond. "But is it right by Raymond to let his wife bring this
Yankee muse to talk her nonsense in his very rooms?"

"You have argued with her?"

"Or with a block--a stock--a stone!" raved Rosamond.

"Then depend upon it, to inform against her would be far worse than
letting any amount of absurdity be talked. I should like to know
how you would get over being so served!"

"Don't make comparison