"Not an atom! Might have been once on a time, perhaps, in the prehistoric ages, but she is too pale and faded nowadays. By no means in her first bloom, I assure you." "Well, she has lost it in waiting for him, so he would be a mean wretch if he liked her any the worse. _Such_ a joke! You remember that fat old man with the crimson face who was so furious with little Miss Muir when she spoke against Gladstone? He jumped up and down like a Jack in the Box, and said he was `surprised, madam, that any one of your intelligence, madam, should be so blinded by prejudice, madam--' You remember how we looked on from afar, and christened him `A Study in Scarlet'? Well, two days ago, mother had a letter from Miss Muir herself, and they are going to be married in August! It seems he never rested until he converted her to his own views, and then he was so pleased with her for agreeing with him that this is the result. She seems so happy, poor old dear, and says that though hot-tempered he has a warm and loving heart. I notice that people with especially violent tempers always take refuge behind the plea of loving hearts! Whom else have you seen?" "I had an invitation to call upon the Shores, and went on Sunday week. Miss Eveline was in greater form than ever. I am sure you would have liked to see her." Peggy shrugged her shoulders viciously. "K-r-r-eature! Don't allude to her in my presence, please. No one shall hear me breathe a word about a member of my own sex, but of all the miserable, contemptible, mean little wretches that ever breathed, she was the worst! I'll _never_ have anything to say to a girl who snubs her own mother before strangers, and makes fun of her poor old father, because he has given her a better education than he had himself. One day he was talking to me about the view, and enjoying himself so much--he really was a most affable old man--when she happened to come up and overhear him say something about the `Hopen haspect!' She shrugged her shoulders and smiled at me, and I turned a basilisk countenance upon her and glared, lit-er-ally gl-ared with anger." Peggy turned her head with a delighted remembrance of her own severity, then once more softened into smiles. "Any news of my _dear_ friend, General Andrews? You have seen him, of course? Did he ask for my address?" "I am afraid not. I really can't remember that he did." Peggy sighed.