p usually given to girls of
your age than most girls have. Mrs. Heron is, I know, exceedingly kind
and amiable, but she has her own little ones to think of, and then she,
too, is young. Miss Murray, although sensible and right-thinking in
every way, is too near your own age to be a guide for you. Percival is
away. Therefore, you must let me take an elder brother's place to you
for once, and warn you when I see that you are in danger."

Kitty had risen from her knees, and was now standing, with her face
still averted, and her lips hidden by a feather fan which she had taken
from the mantelpiece. There was a sharper ring in her voice as she
replied.

"You seem to think I need warning. You seem to think I cannot take care
of myself. You have reminded me once or twice lately that I was a woman
now and not a child. Pray, allow me the woman's privilege of choosing
for myself."

"I am sorry to have displeased you," said Vivian, gravely. "Am I to
understand that my warning comes too late?"

There was a moment's pause before she answered coldly:--

"Quite too late."

"Your choice has fallen upon Hugo Luttrell?"

Kitty was stripping the feathers ruthlessly from her fan. She answered
with an agitated little laugh:

"That is not a fair question. You had better ask him."

"I think I do not need," said Rupert. Then, in a low and rather ironical
tone, he added, "Pray accept my congratulations." She bowed her head
with a scornful smile, and let him leave the room without another word.
What was the use of speaking? The severance was complete between them
now.

They had quarrelled before, but Kitty felt, bitterly enough, that now
they were not quarrelling. She had built up a barrier between them which
he was the last man to tear down. He would simply turn his back upon her
now and go his own way. And she did not know how to call him back. She
felt vaguely that her innocent little wiles were lost upon him. She
might put on her prettiest dresses, and sing her sweetest songs, but
they would never cause him to linger a moment longer by her side than
was absolutely necessary. He had given her up.

She felt, too, with a great swelling of heart, that her roused pride had
made her imply what was not true. He would always think that she was
engaged to Hugo Luttrell. She had, at least, made him understand that
she was prepared to accept Hugo when he proposed to her. And all the
world knew that Hugo meant to propose--Kitty herself kne