Mr Onesimus Bray placed his hands in his pockets and walked smilingly round his daughter, in whom he took immense pride; but the attempt that he made to kiss her was received with a shriek of horror, his daughter darting back beyond his reach, and at the same time bringing forth an oath from her brother's lips, as she swept the glossy, newly-brushed hat from the marqueterie table whereon it had been placed for safety. "For shame, Max!" exclaimed his mother. "Bai Jove, then, it's enough to make an angel swear! How would you like a fellow to tread on your bonnets?" The ladies shuddered. "Never mind, then--a poor old Max!" exclaimed mischievous Nelly, who had but a few minutes before been snubbed by her brother; and, stooping down, she picked up the unfortunate hat, and, before she could be arrested, carefully brushed all the nap up the wrong way, Max sitting completely astounded the while at the outrage put upon him. What he would have said remains to this day unknown. His mouth had gasped open after the fashion of an expiring aquarium pet, and he was about to ejaculate, when he stopped short; for Ella Bedford came quietly into the room, the centre, as it were, of a soft cloud of grey barege, which gave to her pale gentle features almost an ethereal expression, but which called forth from the gorgeous amber queen the remark standing at the head of this chapter: "Surely, Miss Bedford, you never think of going to Sir Philip Vining's party such a figure as that!" Ella coloured up, and then said gently: "Shall I change the dress for a plain muslin, Miss Bray?" "O, I'm sure I don't know!" exclaimed Laura, with a toss. "I think--" "I think the dress looks uncommonly nice, Miss Bedford--I do, bai Jove!" drawled Max, fixing his glass in his eye, and staring furiously. It was the first act of kindness Max Bray had done for many a long day; but it caused a shrinking sensation in her for whom it was intended, while Laura darted at her a fierce look of hatred, and then an angry glance at her brother. Ella looked inquiringly at Mrs Bray, as if for instructions; but that lady always sided with son Max, as did Mr Bray, as far as he dared, with his daughter. "I almost think--" he ventured to observe. "Don't talk stuff, Ness!" shrieked his lady. "What do you know about a lady's dress? If it was a fleece or a pig--There, I think Miss Bedford's things will do very nicely indeed; and if some people would only dress as neatly, it wouldn't half ruin their parents in dressmakers' bills." Laura did not condescend to answer, but throwing herself into a chair, she took up a book, pretending to read, but holding it upside down, till Nelly laughingly called attention to the fact. "Pert child!" exclaimed Laura fiercely. "Don't care!" laughed Nelly. "So the book _was_ upside down; and I'd rather be a pert child than a disagreeable, sour old maid!" "You'd better send that rude tom-boy to bed--you had, bai Jove!" drawled Max.