with a knitting needle.'

'Ah! that stain of ink was a worse blot on your character than on the
new table cover,' said Claude.

'She was rigidly impartial,' said Lord Rotherwood.

'No,' said Claude, 'she made exceptions in favour of Ada and me. She
left the spoiling of the rest to Emily.'

'And well Emily will perform it! A pretty state you will be in by
the 30th of July, 1846,' said Lord Rotherwood.

'Why should not Emily make as good a duenna as Eleanor?' said Lily.

'Why should she not? She will not--that is all,' said the Marquis.
'Such slow people you all are! You would all go to sleep if I did
not sometimes rouse you up a little--grow stagnant.'

'Not an elegant comparison,' said Lilias; 'besides, you must remember
that your hasty brawling streams do not reflect like tranquil lakes.'

'One of Lily's poetical hits, I declare!' said Lord Rotherwood, 'but
she need not have taken offence--I did not refer to her--only Claude
and Emily, and perhaps--no, I will not say who else.'

'Then, Rotherwood, I will tell you what I am--the Lily that derives
all its support from the calm lake.'

'Well done, Lily, worthy of yourself,' cried Lord Rotherwood,