Harry--the least in the world," said he.

"Do you mean to say you have forgotten the postscript I saw in Rowland's
letter about Mr Green and his hopes and intentions? Come, now,
Charlie, that is a little too much."

"Mr Green!" repeated Arthur and Fanny, in a breath.

"Are we never to have done with that unhappy man?" said Graeme,
indignantly.

"The idea of Rose ever looking at him!" said Fanny.

"Oh! she might look at him without doing herself any harm," said Harry.
"She might even indulge in a little innocent flirtation--"

"Harry," said Fanny, solemnly, "if there is a word in the English
language that Graeme hates it is that. Don't say it again, I beg."

Harry shrugged his shoulders. Graeme looked vexed and anxious.

"Miss Elliott," said Charlie, rising, in some embarrassment, "I hope you
don't think me capable of discussing--or permitting--. I mean, in the
letter to which Harry refers, your sister's name was not mentioned. You
have received a wrong impression. I am the last person in the world
that would be likely to offend in that way."

"Charlie, man! you are making much ado about nothing; and, Graeme, you
are as bad. Of course, Rosie's name was not mentioned; but I know quite
well, and so do you, who `La belle Canadienne' was. But no harm was
meant, and none was done."

"It would be rather a good joke if Rosie were to rule in the `Palatial
Residence' after all, wouldn't it?" said Arthur, laughing.

"Arthur, don't! It is not nice to have the child's name coupled with--
with any one," said Graeme.

"It may not be nice, but it cannot be helped," said Harry. "It is the
penalty that very pretty girls, like Rose, have to pay for their
beauty--especially when they are aware of it--as Rose has good right to
be by this time. Small blame to her."

"And I don't see that there is really anything to be annoyed about,
Graeme," said Arthur. "A great deal more than the coupling of names
might happen without Rosie being to blame, as no one should know better
than you."

"Of course. We are not speaking of blame, and we will say no more about
it," said Graeme, rising; and nothing more was said. By and by Harry
and his friend and partner rose to go. They lived together, now, in the
house behind the willow trees, which Rose had taken such pleasure in
watching. It was a very agreeable place of residence still, though a
less fashionable locality than it used to be; and they were fortunate
enough to have