‘A nephew of Mrs Wilson’s--no, not nephew--second or third cousin--or something of the sort, I believe.--Didn’t somebody tell me you met him at the Hall one day?’ ‘Oh, that boy--Wilfrid. Yes; I told you myself. Don’t you remember what a bit of fun we had the night of the ball? We were shut out on the leads, you know.’ ‘Yes, to be sure, you did tell me. What sort of a boy is he?’ ‘Oh! I don’t know. Much like other boys. I did think he was a coward at first, but he showed some pluck at last. I shouldn’t wonder if he turns out a good sort of fellow! We _were_ in a fix!’ ‘You’re a terrible madcap, Clara! If you don’t settle down as you grow, you’ll be getting yourself into worse scrapes.’ ‘Not with you to look after me, papa dear,’ answered Clara, smiling. ‘It was the fun of cheating old Goody Wilson, you know!’ Her father grinned with his whole mouthful of teeth, and looked at her with amusement--almost sympathetic roguery, which she evidently appreciated, for she laughed heartily. Meantime I was feeling very uncomfortable. Something within told me I had no right to overhear remarks about myself; and, in my slow way, I was meditating how to get out of the scrape. ‘What a nice-looking girl that is!’ said Clara, without lifting her eyes from her plate--‘I mean for a Swiss, you know. But I do like the dress. I wish you would buy me a collar and chains like those, papa.’ ‘Always wanting to get something out of your old dad, Clara! Just like the rest of you, always wanting something--eh?’ ‘No, papa; it’s you gentlemen always want to keep everything for yourselves. We only want you to share.’ ‘Well, you shall have the collar, and I shall have the chains.--Will that do?’ ‘Yes, thank you, papa,’ she returned, nodding her head. ‘Meantime, hadn’t you better give me your diamond pin? It would fasten this troublesome collar so nicely!’ ‘There, child!’ he answered, proceeding to take it from his shirt. ‘Anything else?’ ‘No, no, papa dear. I didn’t want it. I expected you, like everybody else, to decline carrying out your professed principles.’ ‘What a nice girl she is,’ I thought, ‘after all!’ ‘My love,’ said her father, ‘you will know some day that I would do more for you even than give you my pet diamond. If you are a good girl, and do as I tell you, there will be grander things than diamond pins in store for you. But you may have this if you like.’ He looked fondly at her as he spoke. ‘Oh no, papa!--not now at least. I should not know what to do with it. I should be sure to lose it.’