‘I told her it was horribly mean of her,’ added Bertha, ‘spoiling our chances and everything. Of course she said we were fools ever to think we had any chance. One can never do any good with mamma; she will go her own way.’ ‘And make Phil hate us all.’ ‘He doesn’t hate you at all,’ interposed Maud, ‘but he doesn’t like Uncle and Aunt Belassis; and I’m sure he wouldn’t like to become a son-in-law.’ ‘It is a shame!’ cried Matilda, with something like tears in her eyes. ‘Besides,’ continued Maud frankly, ‘I don’t much think he would fall in love with either of you. It would be much more likely to be Roma.’ ‘Roma Meredith!’ cried both sisters at once. ‘Why, she never goes anywhere. When does he see her?’ ‘He goes there very often. Mr. Meredith is fond of him. I think he would like him to marry Roma; and she is so very, very beautiful and clever. I don’t see how he can help admiring her. If he does marry at all, I think I should like it to be Roma.’ ‘She would never have him; she would never leave her father,’ objected Matilda, looking rather blank. ‘She would do exactly what her father wished. She has no will but his.’ ‘She would be a horribly dull wife to have,’ cried Bertha, with a short laugh. ‘She can only stand in statuesque attitudes and look handsome. She never has anything to say for herself.’ ‘Oh, but she has, when you know her; only she is very shy and reserved.’ ‘I can’t bear people like that,’ said Bertha, pinning in her flowers viciously; ‘I like fun and quickness.’ There was silence for a minute or two; then Matilda asked suddenly: ‘Are you going to marry Lewis, Maud?’ ‘I don’t know.’ ‘Haven’t you made up your mind yet?’ ‘No.’ ‘You’ll have to, pretty soon.’ ‘Well, yes; but I haven’t done so yet.’ ‘I call it unfair to Lewis to keep him waiting so long,’ said Bertha. ‘Papa and mamma will be wild if you don’t,’ added Matilda. ‘I thought you were going to for certain.’ ‘I did mean to, once; but I don’t feel so sure now,’ said Maud coolly. ‘I suppose Phil is against it, as poor Lewis is a Belassis,’ remarked Matilda. ‘Phil has never said one word about it.’ ‘Then why have you changed?’ ‘I don’t know, unless because I am so happy at Ladywell, and because all other men seem so stupid and tame after Phil.’ ‘I believe you want to wait till he brings Mr. Torwood back from Germany,’ cried Matilda, laughing, ‘to see if he isn’t like Phil, and to go in for him.’ Maud laughed herself at the idea. ‘I think I might do worse,’ she said. ‘If he is one bit like Phil, I should like him fifty times better than Lewis. I will tell him he must bring him to see me soon.’ And then the three girls descended to the ball-room, and enjoyed one of the happiest nights of their lives; the enjoyment being much enhanced by Tor’s impartial attentions to them all. CHAPTER XIII. ROMA’S REQUEST.