get Mrs. Seaton, Mrs. Thornburgh is now miserable because she has
got her. Her ambition is gratified, but she knows that she has
spoilt the party. Well, then, Mr. Mayhew, of course, his son, _and_
his flute.'

'You to play his accompaniments?' put in Agnes slyly. Rose's lip
curled.

'Not if Miss Barks knows it,' she said emphatically, 'nor if I know
it. The Bakers, of course, ourselves, and the unknown.'

'Dr. Baker is always pleasant,' said Mrs. Leyburn, leaning back and
drawing her white shawl languidly round her. 'He told me the other
day, Catherine, that if it weren't for you he should have to retire.
He regards you as his junior partner. "Marvellous nursing gift
your eldest daughter has, Mrs. Leyburn," he said to me the other
day. A most agreeable man.'

'I wonder if I shall be able to get any candid opinions out of Mr.
Elsmere the day after to-morrow?' said Rose, musing. 'It is difficult
to avoid having an opinion of some sort about Mrs. Seaton.'

'Oxford dons don't gossip and are never candid,' remarked Agnes
severely.

'Then Oxford dons must be very dull,' cried Rose. 'However,' and
her countenance brightened, 'if he stays here four weeks we can
teach him.'

Catherine, meanwhile, sat watching the two girls with a soft elder