ral consent, and that small private attempts do
more harm than good."

"He had better take care what he says. If they fancy he is in
league with that ridiculous Duncombe woman against their pockets,
Moy is on the watch to take advantage of it; and all the old family
interest will not save his seat."

When Rosamond reached home she found Anne beside her mother-in-law,
provided with a quire of note-paper and pile of envelopes. "My
dear, I want your help," she said. "Till my accident I always had a
children's party at Christmas; and now I have so many young people
to manage it for me, I think we might try again, and combine it with
Cecil's ladies' party, on Wednesday."

"Hurrah!" cried Rosamond. "You mean that we should have plenty of
fun--and, in fact, drum out the rights of woman."

"At any rate, present a counter attraction. You and Charlie and
your brothers, with the Bowaters, might do something?"

"Trust me!" cried Rosamond. "Oh! I am so thankful to Mr. Bowater.
Julius and I had our blood boiling; and I said as much or more to
Cecil than woman could, but she minded me no more than the old white
cockatoo; and Julius said our telling would only make more
mischief."

"He was quite right," said his mother. "Let there not be one word
of opposition, you know; only swamp it. You could get up some
charades, and have something going on all the evening."

"Trust me for that! Oh! if my darling Aileen were but here! But
Tom is the very model of an actor, and Terry is grand, if only we
can keep him out of the high tragedy line. King Lear is the mildest
thing he condescends to!"

"Could you manage a Christmas-tree? The taking up a room beforehand
is inconvenient; but I should like to offer some little substantial
bait, even to the grown-up;" and her eyes twinkled merrily.

"I know a better thing," said Rosamond; "an enchanted grove with a
beneficent witch. We did it at St. Awdry's, with bon-bons and
trumpery, in a little conservatory, hardly large enough to turn
round in. If I may have the key of the conservatory, I'll manage."

"You shall have what you please; and perhaps you would kindly go and
choose the things at Backsworth. There is a very good fancy shop
there."

"Thank you, thank you! How sweet!--Now, Anne, you will see what you
shall see!"

"Is there to be dancing?" asked Anne, humbly yet resolutely.

"There shall not be, my dear, if it will spoil the evening for you,"
said Mrs. Poynsett.