a brave face to the enemy, and refused to
be cast down in his presence.

"It is no use beginning a fight with the expectation of being beaten,
uncle. I should have no courage left if I did that. I have enough
faith in my brothers and sisters to believe that they will not reproach
us, whatever happens; and at the worst we could come back and try your
plan in the country. We are strong and capable, and could always earn
enough to live on, even if we had to separate and go out as cooks and
housemaids. I am not in the least afraid of starving. We shall manage
to keep ourselves without either asking or expecting help from
outsiders."

"Come, come, my dear! there is such a thing as being too independent.
What is the use of relations if they can't help each other at a pinch?
If you are really determined to try this scheme we must help you all we
can. You must come to see us when we are in town, and we may be able to
give you useful introductions. Avice will be pleased to make your
acquaintance, and so shall we all.--We must do what we can for Edgar's
children, mustn't we, mamma?"

"I cannot promise anything which would be an encouragement to what
appears to me a piece of preposterous folly," said Mrs Loftus coldly.
"It is flying in the face of Providence to leave a comfortable home and
deliberately court danger in this fashion. With your inexperience you
will be ruined before a year is over, and who is to pay your debts I
don't know. You can't expect any help from us if you act in defiance of
our wishes. If you had already made up your minds, as appears to be the
case, I must say it was very inconsiderate to inflict this long journey
upon your uncle and myself for the mere farce of asking our opinion.--We
had better get back to the hotel now, Edward. I am tired, and shall be
glad of a rest."

Mr Loftus rose obediently and followed his wife's lead to the door, but
on his way he managed to whisper a few conciliatory words into
Philippa's burning ear.

"Take no notice, my dear--no notice! Your aunt is hasty, but she will
come round. I will see you again this evening when she has gone to bed,
and to-morrow we will both come up again before we leave. Can't
approve, you know--can't approve; but you are a brave girl. You mean
well. Wish you good luck!"

Philippa's eyes swept over him with an expression of magnanimous
superiority.

"Poor little down-trodden, trembling worm!" she was saying to herself.
"Afraid