'Point blank! Sitting in my cedar parlour! Phoebe, you'll be the death of me,' cried Cilly, between peals of merriment. 'Do you think I have nerves of brass?' 'You would not laugh, if you knew how much he feels.' 'A very good thing for people to feel! It saves them from torpor.' 'Lucy, it is not kind to laugh when I tell you he is miserable.' 'That's only proper, my dear,' said Lucilla, entertained by teasing. 'Not miserable from doubt,' answered Phoebe, disconcerting in her turn. 'We know you too well for that;' and as an expression, amused, indignant, but far from favourable, came over the fair face she was watching, she added in haste, 'It is this project, he thought you had said it was given up.' 'I am much indebted,' said Lucilla, haughtily, but again relapsing into laughter; 'but to find myself so easily disposed of . . . Oh! Phoebe, there's no scolding such a baby as you; but if it were not so absurd--' 'Lucy, Lucy, I beg your pardon; is it all a mistake, or have I said what was wrong? Poor Robin will be so unhappy.' Phoebe's distress touched Lucilla. 'Nonsense, you little goose; aren't you woman enough yet to know that one flashes out at finding oneself labelled, and made over before one's time?' 'I'm glad if it was all my blundering,' said Phoebe. 'Dear Lucy, I was very wrong, but you see I always was so happy in believing it was understood!' 'How stupid,' cried Lucilla; 'one would never have any fun; no, you haven't tasted the sweets yet, or you would know one has no notion of being made sure of till one chooses! Yes, yes, I saw he was primed and cocked, but I'm not going to let him go off.' 'Lucy, have you no pity?' 'Not a bit! Don't talk commonplaces, my dear.' 'If you knew how much depends upon it.' 'My dear, I know that,' with an arch smile. 'No, you do not,' said Phoebe, so stoutly that Lucilla looked at her in some suspense. 'You think,' said honest Phoebe, in her extremity, 'that he only wants to make--to propose to you! Now, it is not only that, Lucilla,' and her voice sank, as she could hardly keep from crying; 'he will never do that if you go on as you are doing now; he does not think it would be right for a clergyman.' 'Oh! I dare say!' quoth Lucilla, and then a silence. 'Did Honor tell him so, Phoebe?' 'Never, never!' cried Phoebe; 'no one has said a word against you! only don't you know how quiet and good any one belonging to a clergyman should be?' 'Well, I've heard a great deal of news to-day, and it is all my own fault, for indulging in sentiment on Wednesday. I shall know better another time.'