"What, are all the young ladies in Matcham so much alike that the same young man would suit them all? Have they no individuality?" "They have individuality enough to know a good young man, with an excellent position in life, when they see one. I believe your father will be as disappointed as I am." "Disappointed? Because I am not in a hurry to leave him. I don't know my father, if he is capable of such unkindness." "Suzette, that little mind of yours is full to the brim of high-flown notions," retorted her aunt, impatiently. "Dear auntie, surely you are not angry?" "Yes, Suzie, I am angry, because I have a very high opinion of Allan Carew. I consider him a pearl among young men." "Really, aunt! And if he were a poor curate, or a barrister without--what do you call them--briefs? Yes, briefs! Would he be a pearl then?" "He would be just as good a young man, but not a husband for you. Don't expect romantic ideas from me, Suzette. If I ever was romantic, it was so many years ago that I have quite forgotten the sensation." "And you cannot conjure back your youth in order to understand me," said her niece, musingly. "You are not like Mrs. Wornock, whose mind seems always dwelling upon the past." "Has she talked to you of her youth?" Mrs. Mornington asked quickly. "Not directly; but she has talked vaguely sometimes of feelings long dead and gone--of the dead whom she loved--her father whom she lost when she was seventeen, and whose spirit--as she thinks--holds communion with her in her solitary daydreams at the organ. He was a musician, like herself, passionately fond of music." "I hope you will not take up any of Mrs. Wornock's fads." "Not unless you call music a fad." "No, no, music is well enough, and I like you to practise and improve your playing. But I hope you will never allow yourself to believe in poor Mrs. Wornock's nonsense about spirit-rapping, and communion with the dead. You must see that the poor woman is _toquée_." "I see that she is dreamy; and I am not carried away by her dreams. I think her the most interesting woman I ever met. Don't be jealous, auntie darling, I should never be as fond of her as I am of you." "I hope not!" "Only I can't help being interested in her. She is _simpatica_." "'Simpatica!' I hate the word. I never heard any one talked of as simpatica who hadn't a bee in her bonnet. I really don't know if your father ought to allow you to be so much at the Manor." "I am going to take him to see Mrs. Wornock to-morrow afternoon. I know he will be in love with her." "It would be a very good thing if he were to marry her, and make a sensible woman of her." "Mrs. Wornock with a second husband! The idea is hateful. She would cease to interest me, if she were so commonplace as to marry. I prefer her infinitely with what you call her fads."