'I don't know how, and I never do it, and I do not know what you mean,' Miss Wych answered, sending a column of sparks up the chimney and shewing a few in her own eyes. Which however she did not turn upon Primrose. Primrose eyed the sparks which flew up chimney, with an unrecognizing face. 'You know, Hazel,' she began again, 'your dress is always so beautiful.' 'Well? If my guardians ever find it out, they never object.' 'But you know, Hazel! you know!' exclaimed Primrose in some distress. 'How shall I speak to you? Your _guardians_ would not meddle, I suppose, either of them; but don't you think, _now_, that Dane will want you to do a little as he does? Do you think he will like you to dress so expensively? and you know you _do_, Hazel. And he gave up his cigars long ago.' If Prim could have known all the minute thorns she was sticking into her friend! Hazel was vexed enough to laugh, or to cry, or to do anything, almost. 'I am glad he has,'—she said, 'but really I have nothing answering to cigars in all my list of expenses.' 'O Hazel! don't you think so?' 'No. I suppose you like them better than I do.' 'What, cigars?' 'Yes. I should think any man would be thankful to get rid of them. Mr. Falkirk never smokes.' 'I don't _like_ them. But men do. And Dane always smoked such delicious cigars—I used to catch the sweet scent of them often in summer time, when windows were open, and then I knew he was lingering about somewhere near; in the garden or the meadow.' Prim gave the least little unconscious sigh as she spoke. Hazel glanced at her, and her own face grew very thoughtful. The subject of dress was left quite in the distance. 'And he has given all that up,' Prim went on; 'and I thought, perhaps, you had not thought about it. All this about dress, I mean.' 'No, I have not,' said Hazel. 'Especially as I do not know what "all this" is. What to do with cigars seems clear; but my dresses hang in the dark. Never mind,—a girl with two guardians is not likely to go very far in any direction.' And Hazel carefully set the tongs in place, and swept up the hearth; and then suddenly caught up her shawl again and wrapped it round her. 'What can have become of that fire?' she said. 'It is an age since we came in. Let's go and see.'