churches.

She had nearly all the conversation to herself, the continual sound
of her voice being only varied by Harriet's notes and comments, given
in a pert shrill, high key, and by a few syllables in answer from
Lady Merton and Mrs. Woodbourne. The two gentlemen, happily for
themselves, had a great quantity of plans and accounts of the church
to look over together, which were likely to occupy them through the
whole of Sir Edward's visit. Elizabeth was busy numbering the
Consecration tickets for the next day, and Anne in helping her, so
that they sat quietly together in the inner drawing-room during the
greater part of the evening.

When they went up-stairs to bed, Elizabeth exclaimed, 'Oh! that
horrid new bonnet of mine! I had quite forgotten it, and I must trim
it now, for I shall not have time to-morrow morning. I will run to
Kate and Helen's room, and fetch my share of the ribbon.'

As she returned and sat down to work, she continued, 'It is too much
plague to quill up the ribbon as the others have theirs. It will do
quite well enough plain. Now, Anne, do not you think that as long as
dress is neat, which of course it must be, prettiness does not
signify ?'

'Perhaps I might think so, if I had to trim my own bonnets,' said
Anne, laughing.

'Ah! you do not think so--Anne, you who have everything about you,
from your shoe-strings upwards, in the most complete order and
elegant taste. But then, you know, you would do quite as well if the