g very like one. I told her there were things
about her manner,--certain ways she had that I didn't like; and I spoke
very seriously to her on the subject. I did n't go beating about, but
said she was too much of a coquette."

"Oh, Jack!"

"It's all very well to be shocked, and cry out, 'Oh, Jack!' but isn't it
true? Haven't you seen it yourself? Hasn't Marion said some very strange
things about it?"

"My dear Jack, I need n't tell you that we girls are not always fair in
our estimates of each other, even when we think we are,--and it is not
always that we want to think so. Julia is not a coquette in any sense
that the word carries censure, and you were exceedingly wrong to tell
her she was."

"That's how it is!" cried he, pitching his cigar away in impatience.
"There's a freemasonry amongst you that calls you all to arms the moment
one is attacked. Is n't it open to a man to tell the girl he hopes to
make his wife that there are things in her manner he does n't approve of
and would like changed?"

"Certainly not; at least it would require some nicer tact than yours to
approach such a theme with safety."

"Temple, perhaps, could do it," said he, sneeringly.

"Temple certainly would not attempt it."

Jack made a gesture of impatience, and, as if desirous to change the
subject, said, "What 's the matter with our distinguished guest? Is he
ill, that he won't dine below-stairs to-day?"

"He calls it a slight return of his Greek fever, and begs to be excused
from presenting himself at dinner."

"He and Temple have been writing little three-cornered notes to each
other all the morning. I suppose it is diplomatic usage."

The tone of irritation he spoke in seemed to show that he was actually
seeking for something to vent his anger upon, and trying to provoke
some word of contradiction or dissent; but she was silent, and for some
seconds they walked on without speaking.

"Look!" cried he, suddenly; "there goes Julia. Do you see her yonder
on the path up the cliff; and who is that clambering after her? I'll be
shot if it's not Lord Culduff."

"Julia has got her drawing-book, I see. They're on some sketching
excursion."

"He was n't long in throwing off his Greek fever, eh?" cried Jack,
indignantly. "It's cool, isn't it, to tell the people in whose house
he is stopping that he is too ill to dine with them, and then set out
gallivanting in this fashion?"

"Poor old man!" said she, in a tone of half-scornful pit