'It is always uncomfortable if mamma and my sisters have only one between them,' said Phoebe, in her tone of perfect acquiescence and conviction; and as her friend could not restrain a gesture of indignation, she added eagerly--'But, indeed, it is not only for that reason, but Miss Fennimore says I am not formed enough to profit by foreign travel.' 'She wants you to finish Smith's _Wealth of Nations_, eh?' 'It might be a pity to go away and lose so much of her teaching,' said Phoebe, with persevering contentment. 'I dare say they will go abroad again, and perhaps I shall never have so much time for learning. But, Miss Charlecote, is Lucilla coming home for the Horticultural Show?' 'I am afraid not, my dear. I think I shall go to London to see about her, among other things. The Charterises seem to have quite taken possession of her, ever since she went to be her cousin Caroline's bridesmaid, and I must try to put in my claim.' 'Ah! Robin so much wished to have seen her,' sighed Phoebe. 'He says he cannot settle to anything.' 'Without seeing her?' said Honor, amused, though not without pain. 'Yes,' said Phoebe; 'he has thought so much about Lucilla.' 'And he tells you?' 'Yes,' in a voice expressing of course; while the frank, clear eyes turned full on Miss Charlecote with such honest seriousness, that she thought Phoebe's charm as a confidante might be this absence of romantic consciousness; and she knew of old that when Robert wanted her opinion or counsel, he spared his own embarrassment by seeking it through his favourite sister. Miss Charlecote's influence had done as much for Robert as he had done for Phoebe, and Phoebe had become his medium of communication with her in all matters of near and delicate interest. She was not surprised when the maiden proceeded--'Papa wants Robin to attend to the office while he is away.' 'Indeed! Does Robin like it?' 'He would not mind it for a time; but papa wants him, besides, to take to the business in earnest. You know, my great-uncle, Robert Mervyn, left Robert all his fortune, quite in his own hands; and papa says that if he were to put that into the distillery it would do the business great good, and that Robert would be one of the richest men in England in ten years' time.' 'But that would be a complete change in his views,' exclaimed Honor, unable to conceal her disapproval and consternation. 'Just so,' answered Phoebe; 'and that is the reason why he wants to see Lucy. She always declared that she could not bear people in business, and we always thought of him as likely to be a clergyman; but, on the other hand, she has become used to London society, and it is only by his joining in the distillery that he could give her what she is accustomed to, and that is the reason he is anxious to see her.' 'So Lucy is to decide his fate,' said Honora. 'I am almost sorry to hear it. Surely, he has never spoken to her.'