CHAPTER IV
Shades In Sunshine


My friends would be angered,
My minnie be mad.--Scots Song

"Whom do you think we met, mother?" said Julius, coming into her
room, so soon as he had made his evening toilette, and finding there
only his two younger brothers. "No other than Miss Vivian."

"Ah! then," broke in Charlie, "you saw what Jenkins calls the
perfect picture of a woman."

"She is very handsome," soberly returned Julius. "Rose is quite
delighted with her. Do you know anything of her?"

"Jenny Bowater was very fond of poor Emily," rejoined the mother.
"I believe that she had a very good governess, but I wish she were
in better hands now."

"I cannot think why there should be a universal prejudice for the
sake of one early offence!" exclaimed Frank.

"Oh, indeed!" said Julius, amazed at such a tone to his mother.

"I only meant--mother, I beg your pardon--but you are only going by
hearsay," answered Frank, in some confusion.