h him on
that subject myself, the last time he was out at Norman's. You must not
mind what Harry says about me, Fanny, dear."

"But, Rose, you are not to think that Harry said anything that was not
nice. It was one night when Mr Millar was here, and there was
something said about Mr Green. And he thought--one of them thought
that you--that he--I have forgotten what was said. What was it, Graeme?
You were here as well as I."

"I am very sure there was nothing said that was not nice," said Graeme.
"I don't quite remember about it. There was nothing worth remembering
or repeating."

"I daresay Harry told you I was a flirt. He told me so, myself, once,"
said Rose, tossing her head in a way Graeme did not like to see.

"Hush, dear. He said nothing unkind, you may be sure."

"And, now I remember, it was not Harry but Mr Millar who spoke about
Mr Green," said Fanny, "and about the `palatial residence,' and how
Rose, if she liked, might--"

Rose moved about impatiently.

"I must say I cannot admire the taste that would permit the discussion
of anything of that sort with a stranger," said she, angrily.

"My dear, you are speaking foolishly. There was no such discussion.
And if you say anything more on the subject, I shall think that Harry
was right when he said you were fond of admiration, and that your
conscience is troubling you about something. Here comes nurse for baby.
I suppose it is time for his bath, is it mamma?"

Fanny left the room with the child, and, after a few minutes' silence,
Rose said, with an effort,--

"Now, Graeme, please tell me what all this is about."

"Dear, there is nothing to tell. I fancy Harry used to think that I was
too anxious and eager about your coming home, and wanted to remind me
that you were no longer a child, but a woman, who was admired, and who
might, by and by, learn to care for some one else, more than for your
sister and brothers. But he did not seriously say anything that you
need care about. It would have been as well, perhaps, not to have said
anything in Mr Millar's presence, since we seem to have fallen a little
out of acquaintance with him lately. But Harry has not, and he did not
consider, and, indeed, there was nothing said that he might not very
well hear."

"It seems it was he who had most to say."

"No. You are mistaken. Fanny did not remember correctly. It was
either Arthur or Harry who had something to say about Mr Green. I
don't think Cha