“Ah, wicked one, no,” said Muriel, silverly murmuring the words into Emily’s ear, as she stood behind her with her arms around her waist, and her face looking jestingly over her shoulder. “Not a bit civil. Didn’t I see that freak of the violets this morning! I know that hurt Richard’s feelings. Not because you did not give them to him, but on account of your manner, which was indescribably disdainful. I verily believe Fernando had something to do with that transaction. What was it he said to you at the table when I saw you color?” “Oh, nothing,” replied Emily, blushing. “It was something he meant for a joke, though I thought it rather impudent. To tell the truth, Muriel, I did intend to share the violets between Harrington and Wentworth, when Fernando observed to me that Wentworth would be delighted to receive a true-love posy from me, or something of that sort. Now that provoked me, and I knew Wentworth had put him up to say it, for I saw them whispering and laughing together just before, and I”— “My dear Emily,” said Muriel, in a beseeching tone, coming around in front of the speaker, “how can you be so unreasonable as to jump to such a conclusion?” “Oh! I know he had something to do with it,” returned Emily, obstinately; “so I just punished him by giving all the flowers to Harrington. I know it piqued him, and I’m glad of it.” Muriel sighed, and then laughed, feeling painfully the littleness of this conduct, yet excusing Emily out of her sense of the provocation of Witherlee. “_N’importe_, Emily dear,” she said lightly, after a pause. “It matters not. But I blame Fernando for it all. I am not unjust to him, for I appreciate his power and talents, and very often find him agreeable enough. But I do not like his carping and cavilling and the envious spirit of him, and I cannot help thinking that he is untruthful, and given to mischief-making. What he said to you was really impudent—and, by the way, it was quite matched by the impudence of his joining us this morning, uninvited, and so coolly walking into the house with us unasked. If I had not been amused at it, I should have been indignant. It was a cool proceeding, faith,—positively arctic.” Muriel paused to laugh delightedly at the drollery of the recollection. “However, let it all go,” she continued. “Only, Emily, beware of being influenced by Fernando. That’s good counsel. For my part, if I catch him at any of his tricks, we shall quarrel outright. I believe I never quarrelled with anybody in my life, and perhaps the experience may be refreshing. But come—business before pleasure. What are you going to do to-day? I must go on a tour—will you come with me?” “Where are you going?” asked Emily. “First and foremost, I am on a Pardiggle excursion among two or three families of my parish,” replied Muriel.