"What a farce, mamma! To think of Rotha being in love with Mr. Southwode!" "Hold your tongue, Nettie." "To love, and to be in love, are two things," said Rotha hotly. "I do not know what being in love means; I _do_ know the other." "O mamma!--she doesn't know what it means!" "I told you to be quiet, Antoinette." "I didn't hear it, mamma. But I think you might reprove Rotha for saying what is not true." "That is what I never do," said Rotha. Mrs. Busby here interfered, and ordered Rotha to go up stairs to her room and stay there till she could command herself. Rotha went. "Mamma," said Antoinette then, "I do believe it is earnest about her and Mr. Southwode. In her mind, I mean. Did you see how she coloured?" "I should not be at all surprised," said, Mrs. Busby. "When is he coming back, mamma?" "I cannot say. I think he does not know himself. He writes that he is very busy at present." "But he will come back, you think?" "He says so. Antoinette, say nothing--not a word more--about him to Rotha. She has got her head turned, and it is best she should hear nothing whatever about him. I shall take good care that she never sees him again." "Mamma, _he_ don't care for her?" "Of course not. He is too much a man of the world." There was silence. "Mamma," Antoinette began after a pause, "do you think Rotha is handsome?" "She is very well," said Mrs. Busby in an indifferent tone. "They think at school, that is, the teachers do, that she is a beauty." "I dare say they have told her so." "And you see how Mrs. Mowbray has dressed her up." "I would not have sent her there, if I had known how it would be. However, I could not arrange for her so cheaply anywhere else." "What would you do, mamma, if Mr. Southwode were coming back?" "I should know, in that case. He will not come yet a while. Now Antoinette, let this subject alone." "Yes, mamma. You are a clever woman. I don't believe even Mr. Southwode could manage you." "I can manage Mr. Southwode!" said Mrs. Busby contentedly. CHAPTER XIX. A NEW DEPARTURE.