r a strong word, perhaps, but there is a great difference
between the two. In reading a book you forget yourself in your interest
about others; in dreams--excuse me--you think constantly of yourself,
and play the part of hero. It is a habit which is inclined to make one
consider oneself the most interesting person on earth."

"Well, so you are! To yourself, I mean; you know you are!" cried
Mollie, with an innocent _naivete_ which made Mr Melland laugh again.
It was seldom, indeed, that anyone was honest enough to confess to self-
love, and her candour seemed infectious, for, on the verge of
contradicting her assertion with regard to himself, a sudden
recollection rushed through him of his own thoughts, doubts, conflicts,
and final determination of the past twenty-four hours. Did not every
one of these concern himself as a primary, if not an only, motive? Was
he not exercised, first of all, by a sense of his own importance, so
that the wishes of a dying man availed nothing against the preservation
of his own dignity? The laugh gave place to a frown as he replied--

"If it is so it ought certainly to be discouraged. One ought not
deliberately to pamper selfishness."

Mollie's eyes dropped to her plate, and her lips pouted in an
involuntary grimace.

"Rather inclined to preach," she said to herself naughtily, "and so
intensely practical and matter of fact! I must devote myself to the
education of his higher faculties. I shall have something to say to
you, Mr Jack Melland, the first time that will of yours comes into
opposition with my own.--`One ought not deliberately to pamper
selfishness.'--Delightful sentence! I must not forget it."

CHAPTER TEN.

INTRODUCTIONS.

In the drawing-room, after dinner, Mrs Thornton made herself agreeable
to the two girls, and was evidently full of interest and curiosity.

"Having the Court open again will make a great deal of difference to the
village in general, and to ourselves in particular," she said, smiling.
"Mr Farrell has been so invalided of late years that we have seen
nothing of him, and it is quite an excitement to dine here again. Dr
Braithey told us whom we were to meet, and that, of course, added
greatly to the pleasure. I hope you will like the neighbourhood, and
enjoy your visit. You must let me help you in any way that is in my
power. I hope you will, for I love being with young people and making
them happy."

One glance at the kindly face of th