messenger between us. Now would you not expect as much, papa, if I told
you?" said the arch and lively girl.

"Aggy, you are a presuming gipsy," replied the old man, joining in the
laugh which she had caused. "Me your messenger!"

"Yes, and a steady one you would make, sir--I am sure you would not, at
all events, overstep your instructions."

"That will be one quality essentially necessary to any messenger of
yours, Agnes," replied her father, in the same spirit.

"Papa," said she, suddenly changing her manner, and laying aside her
gayety, "what I said in jest of myself may be seriously true of another
in this family. Suppose Jane----"

"Jane!" exclaimed the old man;--"impossible! She is but a girl!--but
a child!" "Agnes, this is foolish of you," said her sister. "It is
possible, after all, that you are doing poor Jane injustice. Papa, Agnes
only speaks from suspicion. We are not certain of anything. It was I
mentioned it first, but merely from suspicion."

"If Jane's affections are engaged," said her father, "I tremble to think
of the consequences should she experience the slightest disappointment.
But it cannot be, Maria,--the girl has too much sense, and her
principles are too well established."

"What is it you mean, girls?" inquired their mother, in a tone of
surprise and alarm.