"She is my property, and I shall call her as I choose," quietly replied Cornelius. "I don't like the name of Mar-ga-ret." "Papa said there was not a prettier name," I objected. "That is a matter of taste," almost sharply replied Cornelius; "I think Katherine is a much prettier name." He reddened as he spoke, whilst his sister pushed back her untasted tea. "He said Margaret was the name of a flower," I persisted,--"of the China- aster." "Which you do not resemble a bit," inexorably replied Cornelius; "the garden has shorter and prettier names; Rose, Lily, Violet, etc." "I like my own name best." "Meg! No; well then Peg. What!--not Peg! which then?" "I don't care which," I replied despondingly. He saw that my eyes were full of tears, and yet that I submitted. "Poor little thing!" he observed with a touch of pity. "I must think of something else.--Let me see.--Eureka! Kate, what do you say to Daisy, the botanical diminutive of Margaret?" "Anything you like, Cornelius," she replied sadly, "but don't teaze the poor child." "She shall decide." He called me to him, and left the matter to me. I was glad to escape from Meg and Peg; and Daisy I was called from that hour. "You already have it quite your own way with that child," observed Miss O'Reilly, looking at her brother; "and yet she looks a little wilful!" "That is just what makes it pleasant having one's way with her," he replied, smiling down at me, as if amused at his triumph over my obstinacy, and gently pulling my hair by way of caress. "News from the city?" he added after a while. "There came a message yesterday and two to-day." Cornelius shook his head impatiently, in a manner habitual to him, and which was ever displaying the heavy masses of his dark hair, but, catching the eye of his sister, he smoothed his brow, and said, smiling-- "I am glad I am so precious." "It was Mr. Trim who came this evening." "Very kind of him to call on my handsome sister when I am out of the way." "He says it is a pity you do not give more of your mind to business." "I give ninety pounds' worth a year," disdainfully replied Cornelius, "the exact amount of my salary." "He has got his long-promised government office, with a salary of five hundred a year," continued Miss O'Reilly. Cornelius half started up on one elbow, to exclaim gaily-- "Kate! has he made you an offer?" "Nonsense," she replied impatiently, "who is to take the place Trim is leaving vacant?" "And to do his work," answered Cornelius, indolently sinking back into his previous attitude; "Faith! I don't know, Kate." "Trim leaves next month," said Miss O'Reilly, looking at her brother. "Let him, Kate." "Will you allow that Briggs to step in?" "Why not, poor fellow?" Miss O'Reilly's brown eyes sparkled. She gave the fire a vigorous and indignant poke. "Will you let that Briggs walk upon you?" she asked vehemently. "Yes," answered Cornelius, yawning slightly, "I will, Kate." "You have no spirit!"