r."

Fanny pouted a little for she knew that her mamma's wisdom and
management were not admired. Graeme hastened to interfere.

"It is very nice of you to care so much about it, Fanny. You know Rose
is very determined to make her means cover her expenses; but still if,
as you say, Harry should suddenly be smitten with admiration for the
jacket, and present it to her, perhaps it might do. I am not sure,
however. I have my misgivings."

And not without reason. Rose had an allowance, liberal enough, but not
too liberal; not so liberal but that taste, and skill, and care were
needed, to enable her to look as nice as she liked to look. But more
than once she had failed to express, or to feel gratitude to Fanny, in
her attempts to make it easier for her, either by an appeal to her
brothers, or by drawing on her own means. Even from Graeme, she would
only accept temporary assistance, and rather prided herself on the
little shifts and contrivances by which she made her own means go to the
utmost limit.

But there was no difficulty this time. It all happened naturally
enough, and Rose thanked Harry with more warmth than was necessary, in
his opinion, or, indeed, in the opinion of Graeme.

"I saw one on Miss Roxbury," said Harry, "or, I ought to say, I saw Miss
Roxbury wearing one; and I thought it looked very well, and so did
Charlie."

"Oh!" said Rose, with a long breath. "But then you know, Harry dear,
that I cannot pretend to such style as Miss Roxbury. I am afraid you
will be disappointed in my jacket."

"You want me to compliment you, Rosie. You know you are a great deal
prettier than little Amy Roxbury. But she is very sweet and good, if
you would only take pains to know her. You would win her heart
directly, if you were to try."

"But then I should not know what to do with it, if I were to win it,
unless I were to give it away. And hearts are of no value when given by
a third person, as nobody should know better than you, Harry, dear. But
I shall do honour to your taste all the same; and twenty more good
brothers shall present jackets to grateful sisters, seeing how well I
look in mine. It is very nice, and I thank you very much."

But she did not look as though she enjoyed it very much, Graeme could
not help thinking.

"Of course, she did not really care much to have it. She does not need
to make herself fine. I daresay she will enjoy wearing it, however. It
is well she can enjoy something