some more sensible reason.

"How foolish children are. You trouble about your dress when
you should have been thinking of the man who loves you."

"Does Cuthbert love me?" asked Juliet, flushing.

"As Romeo loved your namesake, sweetest child. And a very
good match it is too," added Mrs. Octagon, relapsing into
prose. "He is Lord Caranby's heir, and will have a title and
a fortune some day. But I would not force you to wed against
your will, my dear."

"I love Cuthbert and Cuthbert loves me," said Juliet quickly,
"we quite understand one another. I wonder why he did not
come to-day."

"Ah," said her mother playfully, "I saw that your thoughts
were otherwhere. Your eyes wandered constantly to the door.
He may come late. By the way, where is my dearest son?"

"Basil? He went out this morning. I believe he intended to
call on Aunt Selina."

Mrs. Octagon lost a trifle of her suave manner, and became
decidedly more human. "Then I wish he would not call there,"
she said sharply. "Selina Loach is my own sister, but I do
not approve of her."

"She is a poor, lonely dear, mother."