ar even to myself, how we are
connected."

"It is much better not to consider the subject, then," said Arthur, "as
they are rather desirable people to have for relations; call them
cousins, and let it go."

"But at any rate she is not your aunt, and Amy Roxbury is not your
cousin, as some one was insisting over Rose and me the other day. I
told you so, Rosie."

"Did you?" said Rose, languidly. "I don't remember."

"It was Mrs Gridley, I think, and she said--no, it must have been some
one else--she said you were not cousins, but that it was a very
convenient relationship, and very pleasant in certain circumstances."

"Very true, too, eh, Charlie," said Arthur, laughing.

"I should scarcely venture to call Miss Roxbury cousin," said Charlie.

"She is very nice, indeed," pursued Fanny. "Rose fell in love with her
at first sight, and the admiration was mutual, I think."

Rose shrugged her shoulders.

"That is, perhaps, a little strong, Fanny, dear. She is very charming,
I have no doubt, but I am not so apt to fall into sudden admirations as
I used to be."

"But you admired her very much. And you said she was very like Lily
Elphinstone, when you first saw her. I am sure you thought her very
lovely, and so did Graeme."

"Did I?" said Rose.

"She is very like her," said Mr Millar. "I did not notice it till her
mother mentioned it. She is like her in other respects, too; but
livelier and more energetic. She is stronger than Lily used to be, and
perhaps a little more like the modern young lady."

"Fast, a little, perhaps," said Arthur.

"Oh! no; not like one in the unpleasant sense that the word has. She is
self-reliant. She has her own ideas of men and things, and they are not
always the same as her mamma's. But she is a dutiful daughter, and she
is charming with her little brothers and sisters. Such a number there
are of them, too."

Charlie spoke eagerly, looking at Graeme. "You seem deeply interested
in her," said Arthur, laughing.

Harry rose impatiently.

"We should have Mrs Gridley here. I never think a free discussion of
our neighbours and their affairs can be conducted on proper principles
without her valuable assistance. Your _cousin_ would be charmed to know
that you made her the subject of conversation among your acquaintance, I
have no doubt, Charlie."

"But she is not his cousin," said Fanny. "And Harry, dear, you are
unkind to speak of us as mere acquaintances of Mr Millar.