"Why, Cousin George," says the lady, "what _do_ you mean?" "I thought I spoke plainly enough, Fanny," replied Cousin George, in a tone that _might_ have made the matter plain enough, to be sure. Fanny laughed outright, and the gentleman looked terribly serious. "Indeed, now, don't be angry," said she, as he turned away with a vexed and mortified air; "indeed, now, I can't help laughing, it seems to me so odd; what _will_ they all think of you?" "It's of no consequence to me what they think," said Mr. Somers. "I think, Fanny, if you had the heart I gave you credit for, you might have seen my feelings before now." "Now, do sit down, my _dear_ cousin," said Fanny, earnestly, drawing him into a chair, "and tell me, how could I, poor little Miss Fanny Nobody, how _could_ I have thought any such thing with such sisters as I have? I did think that you _liked_ me, that you knew more of my real feelings than mamma and sisters; but that you should--that you ever should--why, I am astonished that you did not fall in love with Isabella." "That would have met your feelings, then?" said George, eagerly, and looking as if he would have looked through her, eyes, soul, and all. "No, no, indeed," she said, turning away her head; "but," added she, quickly, "you'll lose all your credit for good taste. Now, tell me, seriously, what do you like me for?" "Well, then, Fanny, I can give you the best reason. I like you for being a real, sincere, natural girl--for being simple in your tastes, and simple in your appearance, and simple in your manners, and for having heart enough left, as I hope, to love plain George Somers, with all his faults, and not Mr. Somers's reputation, or Mr. Somers's establishment." "Well, this is all very reasonable to me, of course," said Fanny, "but it will be so much Greek to poor mamma." "I dare say your mother could never understand how seeing the very acme of cultivation in all countries should have really made my eyes ache, and long for something as simple as green grass or pure water, to rest them on. I came down here to find it among my cousins, and I found in your sisters only just such women as I have seen and admired all over Europe, till I was tired of admiring. Your mother has achieved what she aimed at, perfectly; I know of no circle that could produce higher specimens; but it is all art, triumphant art, after all, and I have so strong a current of natural feeling running through my heart that I could never be happy except with a fresh, simple, impulsive character." "Like me, you are going to say," said Fanny, laughing. "Well, _I'll_ admit that you are right. It would be a pity that you should not have one vote, at least." CHILDREN. "A little child shall lead them."