ainted with her?" asked Mrs.
Castleton.

"That's more than I can tell you," replied Tom. "He told me that
Jewiston introduced him."

"I never could bear that Jewiston," remarked Miss Leveredge; "I always
thought him very under-bred and vulgar. Why will Harry have any thing
to do with him?"

"Who--Jewiston? He's a clever fellow enough," said Tom.

"Oh, Tom! how can you say so!"

"So he is," persisted the young man. "He's not very refined or
elegant, I grant you--but still a very good fellow."

"And so you think, Tom," continued Mrs. Castleton, still intent on the
main theme, "that in all probability Miss Dawson will be our
sister-in-law?"

Emma shivered.

"I don't think it probable, but very possible," replied the young man,
"particularly under the present system of family politics."

"And it would be very bad." pursued Mrs. Castleton, inquiringly.

"Oh, dreadful!" ejaculated Emma.

"There's nothing very _dreadful_ about it," remonstrated Tom; "it
would not be pleasant, certainly--but that's all. There's no use in
making the matter worse than it is."

Emma looked as if that were impossible, but said nothing, while Mrs.
Castleton continued with--

"What kind of a set is she in--and what are the family?"

"Very low, vulgar people," said Emma.

"Now, Emma, there again you are exaggerating," rejoined Tom. "They are
_not_ a low set--vulgar, I admit."

"The same thing," persisted Emma.

"It's not the same thing, Emma," said the young man, decidedly. "They
are very far from being _low_ people. Her father is a highly
respectable man, and, indeed, so are all the family--not fashionable,
I grant you."

"Fashionable!" ejaculated Emma, with a smile full of scornful meaning.

"But I admit," continued Tom, "that it is not a connection that would
altogether suit us. I should be as sorry, perhaps, as any of you to
see the thing take place."

"And what is the girl in herself," pursued Mrs. Castleton.

"A vulgar, forward, ugly thing," said Emma, speaking quickly, as if
she could not help herself--the words must out, let Tom say what he
would.

Tom said nothing, however.

"Is she?" said Mrs. Castleton, looking very much distressed, and
turning to her brother.

"Emma will have it that she is," he replied.

"Now, Tom, you know she is," expostulated Emma.

"No, Emma," said Tom, "if you will permit me, I know no such thing."

"You surely don't admire her, too," said Emma, with a look of mingled
alarm and d