'Probably not,' said Juliana; 'for of course you will see nobody but a set of old maids and clergymen and their wives.' 'She need not go far for old maids,' whispered Bertha to Maria. 'Pray, in which class do you reckon the Sandbrooks?' said Phoebe, smiling; 'for she chiefly goes to meet them.' 'She may go!' said Juliana, scornfully; 'but Lucilla Sandbrook is far past attending to her!' 'I wonder whether the Charterises will take any notice of Phoebe?' exclaimed Augusta. 'My dear,' said Mrs. Fulmort, waking slowly to another idea, 'I will tell Boodle to talk to--what's your maid's name?--about your dresses.' 'Oh, mamma,' interposed Juliana, 'it will be only poking about the exhibitions with Miss Charlecote. You may have that plaid silk of mine that I was going to have worn out abroad, half-price for her.' Bertha fairly made a little stamp at Juliana, and clenched her fist. If Phoebe dreaded anything in the way of dress, it was Juliana's half-price. 'My dear, your papa would not like her not to be well fitted out,' said her mother; 'and Honora Charlecote always has such handsome things. I wish Boodle could put mine on like hers.' 'Oh, very well!' said Juliana, rather offended; 'only it should be understood what is to be done if the Charterises ask her to any of their parties. There will be such mistakes and confusion if she meets any one we know; and you particularly objected to having her brought forward.' Phoebe's eye was a little startled, and Bertha set her front teeth together on edge, and looked viciously at Juliana. 'My dear, Honora Charlecote never goes out,' said Mrs. Fulmort. 'If she should, you understand, Phoebe,' said Juliana. Coffee came in at the moment, and Augusta criticized the strength of it, which made a diversion, during which Bertha slipped out of the room, with a face replete with mischievous exultation. 'Are not you going to play to-night, my dears?' asked Mrs. Fulmort. 'What was that duet I heard you practising?' 'Come, Juliana,' said the elder sister, 'I meant to go over it again; I am not satisfied with my part.' 'I have to write a note,' said Juliana, moving off to another table; whereupon Phoebe ventured to propose herself as a substitute, and was accepted. Maria sat entranced, with her mouth open; and presently Mrs. Fulmort looked up from a kind of doze to ask who was playing. For some moments she had no answer. Maria was too much awed for speech in the drawing-room; and though Bertha had come back, she had her back to her mother, and did not hear. Mrs. Fulmort exerted herself to sit up and turn her head. 'Was that Phoebe?' she said. 'You have a clear, good touch, my dear, as they used to say I had when I was at school at Bath. Play another of your pieces, my dear.' 'I am ready now, Augusta,' said Juliana, advancing.