ran away, and slily tucked it into her
bouquet; and I did so hope she would take it up to fiddle with when the
gentlemen talk to her,' said the elf, with an irresistibly comic
imitation of Juliana's manner towards gentlemen.

'Bertha, this is beyond--' began Phoebe.

'Didn't you sting your fingers?' asked Maria.

Bertha stuck out her fat pink paws, embellished with sundry white lumps.
'All pleasure,' said she, 'thinking of the jump Juliana will give, and
how nicely it serves her.'

Phoebe was already on her way back to the drawing-rooms; Bertha sprang
after, but in vain. Never would she have risked the success of her
trick, could she have guessed that Phoebe would have the temerity to
return to the company!

Phoebe glided in without waiting for the sense of awkwardness, though she
knew she should have to cross the whole room, and she durst not ask any
one to bring the dangerous bouquet to her--not even Robert--he must not
be stung in her service.

She met her mother's astonished eye as she threaded her way; she wound
round a group of gentlemen, and spied the article of which she was in
quest, where Juliana had laid it down with her gloves on going to the
piano. Actually she had it! She had seized it unperceived! Good little
thief; it was a most innocent robbery. She crept away with a sense of
guilt and desire to elude observation, positively starting when she
encountered her father's portly figure in the ante-room. He stopped her
with 'Going to bed, eh? So Miss Charlecote has taken a fancy to you, has
she? It does you credit. What shall you want for the journey?'

'Boodle is going to see,' began Phoebe, but he interrupted.

'Will fifty do? I will have my daughters well turned out. All to be
spent upon yourself, mind. Why, you've not a bit of jewellery on! Have
you a watch?'

'No, papa.'

'Robert shall choose one for you, then. Come to my room any time for the
cash; and if Miss Charlecote takes you anywhere among her set--good
connections she has--and you want to be rigged out extra, send me in the
bill--anything rather than be shabby.'

'Thank you, papa! Then, if I am asked out anywhere, may I go?'

'Why, what does the child mean? Anywhere that Miss Charlecote likes to
take you of course.'

'Only because I am not come out.'

'Stuff about coming out! I don't like my girls to be shy and backward.
They've a right to show themselves anywhere; and you should be going out
with us now, but s