and, in the secrecy of their bedrooms,
with little smothered fits of laughter, the young ladies told each other
how Sir Charles had danced with the big housemaid, how every time he did
the cross-over he had slapped her on the belly; and then, with more
laughter, they related how she had said: 'Now don't, Sir Charles, I
forbid you to take such liberties.' And it also became part of the story
that, when they were tired of even such pleasures as these, the
gentlemen had gone upstairs to where the poor man with the broken leg
was lying, and had, with whiskey and song, relieved his sufferings until
the Galway train rolled into Ballinasloe.

XI

'Goodness me! Alice; how can you remain up here all alone, and by that
smouldering fire? Why don't you come downstairs? Papa says he is quite
satisfied with the first part of the tune, but the second won't come
right; and, as mamma had a lot to say to Lord Dungory, I and Captain
Hibbert sat out in the passage together. He told me he liked the way I
arrange my hair. Do tell me, dear, if you think it suits me?'

'Very well, indeed; but what else did Captain Hibbert say to you?'

'Well, I'll tell you something,' replied Olive, suddenly turning from
the glass. 'But first promise not to tell anyone. I don't know what I
should do if you did. You promise?'

'Yes, I promise.'

'If you look as serious as that I shall never be able to tell you. It is
very wicked, I know, but I couldn't help myself. He put his arm round my
waist and kissed me. Now don't scold, I won't be scolded,' the girl
said, as she watched the cloud gathering on her sister's face. 'Oh! you
don't know how angry I was. I cried, I assure you I did, and I told him
he had disgraced me. I couldn't say more than that, could I, now? and he
promised never to do it again. It was the first time a man ever kissed
me--I was awfully ashamed. No one ever attempted to kiss you, I suppose;
nor can I fancy their trying, for your cross face would soon frighten
them; but I can't look serious.'

'And did he ask you to marry him?'

'Oh! of course, but I haven't told mamma, for she is always talking to
me about Lord Kilcarney--the little marquis, as she calls him; but I
couldn't have him. Just fancy giving up dear Edward! I assure you I
believe he would kill himself if I did. He has often told me I am the
only thing worth living for.'

Alice looked at her beautiful sister questioningly, her good sense
telling her that, if Olive