Her last words were spoken in an air and manner "not in the least like Fred," her father said to himself, as he listened. But Mrs Brandon thought it was exactly like Fred--"the naughty little thing." She had more than once noticed this disagreeable manner in her intercourse with her younger sister, and had spoken of it to her father, and to him she now turned her disapproving eyes. So Mr Vane interposed. "Nonsense, Fred! What difference can it make? Stay of course--not you, Tessie, nor the boys! Dixen can come for you later. Now, Dixen, take care." Frederica was indignant, and said quite enough to her sisters on their way down, but to her father she only said, "Very well, papa," with an air of offended dignity that made him laugh. "However," added she, when she had said all that was necessary, and a little more, "I may as well make the best of it, and amuse myself as well as I can." So when Mrs Brandon arrived a little while afterwards, they found her walking about on the lawn, quite ready to amuse, and to be amused. But her troubles were not over. It was Selina especially, it seemed, whom Mrs Brandon had wished to stay, and she had gone home. There were many regrets expressed by her and by the others. They had been so desirous to know Miss Vane, and to hear her sing, and so on. "It is a pity you were not more explicit, Caroline," said Frederica. "However, it would have made no difference. Selina's staying was quite out of the question." "I am sure I can't understand why," said Mrs Brandon. "Can you not? It is quite true, however." Mrs Brandon turned her eyes on her father, who had just entered the room. It must be acknowledged that Fred was not behaving well. Her manner was by no means respectful to her elder sister, and her tones and the flash of her eye showed that she was out of temper. "What is the matter, Fred?" asked her father. "We are all disappointed that Miss Vane did not stay," said some one, with the kind intention of smoothing matters for Fred. "Fred thinks Selina would not have enjoyed it," said Mrs Brandon. "Mama would not have wished it," said Frederica, walking away, as though there was nothing more to be said. Of course, it was all a failure after this, as far as Frederica was concerned. At another time she would have looked and listened, and amused herself with all that was going on. But she felt cross; and what was worse, she knew that all these people must be thinking her very rude and ill-bred. No one noticed her much nor spoke to her, and though she knew she deserved it, she was indignant at being treated like an ill-tempered child. Especially was she indignant with her sister for bringing all this upon her. So at the first possible moment she excused herself from the table, at which the rest seemed inclined to linger, and went out into the garden.