Eliza.

"Well, well, Miss Bunner," she murmured, jerking her chin in
the direction of the retreating figures, "I'd no idea your sister
was keeping company. On'y to think!"

Ann Eliza, roused from a state of dreamy beatitude, turned her
timid eyes on the dress-maker.

"Oh, you're mistaken, Miss Mellins. We don't har'ly know Mr.
Ramy."

Miss Mellins smiled incredulously. "You go 'long, Miss
Bunner. I guess there'll be a wedding somewheres round
here before spring, and I'll be real offended if I ain't asked to
make the dress. I've always seen her in a gored satin with
rooshings."

Ann Eliza made no answer. She had grown very pale, and her
eyes lingered searchingly on Evelina as the younger sister re-
entered the room. Evelina's cheeks were pink, and her blue eyes
glittered; but it seemed to Ann Eliza that the coquettish tilt of
her head regrettably emphasized the weakness of her receding chin.
It was the first time that Ann Eliza had ever seen a flaw in her
sister's beauty, and her involuntary criticism startled her like a
secret disloyalty.

That night, after the light had been put out, the elder sister
knelt longer than usual at her prayers. In the silence of the
darkened room she was offering up certain dreams and aspirations