"I am glad, sister Alice, you give me an argument to indulge my own secret wish," replied Blanche; "for I like not to believe harsh reports against any of our province. And so, that is at an end. Alack!--here is another matter for counsel: Grace Blackiston says Helen Clements is too young to be at my gathering:--she has two years before her yet at school, and has only begun embroidering. Oh, but I would as soon do a barefoot penance for a month as disappoint her!--she is the wildest of all for a dance, and looks for it, I know,--though she says never a word, and has her eyes on the ground when we talk about it.--Ha, let Grace Blackiston prate as she will, Helen shall be here! Fairly, my gossip,--I will be mistress in my own house, I promise you!" "There is room for all thy friends, young and old," said Alice; "and you should not stint to ask them for the difference of a span or so in height. You are not quite a woman yourself, Blanche,--no, nor Grace neither--although you perk yourselves up so daintily." "Would you have the gauger's wife, sister?" inquired Blanche, with a face of renewed perplexity. "I think my dear Lady Maria would be pleased if I bid the dame--for the gauger is a good friend of his Lordship--hot-headed, they say, but that does not make him the worse--and his dame takes it kindly to be noticed." "Even as you will, Blanche,--it is a mark of gentle nurture not to be too scrupulous with thy questions of quality--a kind neighbour will never disgrace your courtesy. But one thing, child, your father will look to:--see that you avoid these Coodes and Fendalls and even the Chiseldines. There is a feud between them and the Proprietary,--and my Lord's friends are warm in the matter,--your father amongst the rest." "I warrant you they get no bid from me," said Blanche, as the colour mantled in her cheek. "I hate them stock and branch--yes, as my good lady hates them." Blanche had scarcely uttered these words before the good lady herself rode past the window. The maiden bounded forth to receive her, and Alice with less precipitation followed. "I come with pony and pillion," said the visiter as she was assisted to the ground, and bustled into the parlour. "I could not rest until I saw Blanche, to know if all her biddings were abroad. My pretty bird, pray look you to your task--you have no time to lose: there are the families beyond Patuxent--and our friends across the bay,--besides many at home that I know have not heard from you yet. And here, sweet, I have brought you some trinketry which you shall wear at the feast: a part is for Grace Blackiston, and a part for you. Thou shalt have the choice, Blanche:--but whisht!--not a word of it to Grace, because I think she hath a conceit to be jealous of thy favour."