“Pert and fussy, you mean.” “Pretty, at all events? Rather?” “What, with that snub nose!!?” Lucy offered to invite other neighbors; Mrs. Bazalgette replied she didn't want to be bothered with rurality. “You can ask Captain Dodd, if you like; there is no need to invite the sister.” “Oh yes, I must; my uncle likes her the best.” “But _I_ don't; and I am only here for a day or two.” “Miss Dodd would be hurt. It would be unkind--discourteous.” “No, no. She watches him all the time like a little dragon.” _“Apres?_ We have no sinister designs on Mr. Dodd, have we?” and something unusually keen flashed upon Aunt Bazalgette out of the tail of the quiet Lucy's eye. Mrs. Bazalgette looked cross. “Nonsense, Lucy; so tiresome! Can't we have an agreeable person without tacking on a disagreeable one?” “Aunt,” said Lucy, pathetically, “ask me anything else in the world, but don't ask me to be rude, for _I can't.”_ “Well, then, you are bound to entertain her, since she is your choice, and leave me mine.” Lucy acquiesced softly. David, tutored by his sister, now tried to seem interested in her who came between him and Lucy, and a miserable hand he made of this his first piece of acting. Luckily for him, Mrs. Bazalgette liked the sound of her own voice; and his good looks, too, went a long way with the mature woman. Lucy and Eve sat together at the tea-table; Mr. Fountain slumbered below; Arthur was in the study, nailed to a novel; Eve, under a careless exterior, watched intently to find out if Lucy, under a calm surface, cared for David at all or not, and also watched for a chance to serve him. She observed a certain languor about the young lady, but no attempt to take David from the coquette. At last, however, Lucy did say demurely, “Mr. Dodd seems to appreciate my aunt.” “Don't you think it is rather the other way?” “That is an insidious question, Miss Dodd. I shall make no admissions; but I warn you she is a very fascinating woman.” “My brother is greatly admired by the ladies, too.” “Oh, since I praised my champion, you have a right to praise yours. But he will get the worst in that little encounter.” “Why so? “Because my sprightly aunt forgets the very names of her conquests when once she has thoroughly made them.” “She will never make this one; my brother carries an armor against coquettes.” “Ay, indeed; and pray what may that be?” inquired Lucy, a little quizzingly. “A true and deep attachment.” “Ah!” “And if you will look at him a little closer you will see that he would be glad to get away from that old flirt; but David is very polite to ladies.”