desired victory.

They had come, as they told each other before and after their visit, to
snatch a brand from the burning. What was in the heart of each--the
frantic desire to be mistress of Undern--they did not mention.

Miss Clomber had taken exception to Amelia's tight dress. For Amelia
had a figure, and Miss Clomber had not. She always flushed at the text,
'We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts.'

Amelia was aware of her advantage as she engaged Reddin in
conversation. He fell in with the arrangement, for he detested her
sister, who always prefaced every remark with 'Have you read--?'

As he never read anything, he thought she was making fun of him.

'And what,' asked Miss Clomber of Hazel, lowering her lids like blinds,
'was your maiden name?'

'Woodus.'

'Where were you married?'

'The Mountain.'

'Shawly there's no charch there?'

'Ah! Ed'ard's church.'

'Edward?'