'Never was a more absurd wish,' said Charles, tormenting her hand still
more, and pulling her curls; 'unwish it forthwith. Where should I be
without silly little Amy? If every one weighed my wit before laughing,
I should not often be in disgrace for my high spirits, as they call
them.'

'I am so little younger than Laura,' said Amy, still sadly, though
smiling.

'Folly,' said Charles; 'you are quite wise enough for your age, while
Laura is so prematurely wise, that I am in constant dread that nature
will take her revenge by causing her to do something strikingly
foolish!'

'Nonsense!' cried Amy, indignantly. 'Laura do anything foolish!'

'What I should enjoy,' proceeded Charles, 'would be to see her over
head and ears in love with this hero, and Philip properly jealous.'

'How can you say such things, Charlie?'

'Why? was there ever a beauty who did not fall in love with her
father's ward?'

'No; but she ought to live alone with her very old father and horribly
grim maiden aunt.'

'Very well, Amy, you shall be the maiden, aunt.' And as Laura returned
at that moment, he announced to her that they had been agreeing that no