omehow your poor mother doesn't like the trouble of
such a lot of girls. So don't be shy, but make the most of yourself, for
you won't meet many better endowed, nor more highly accomplished. Good
night, and enjoy yourself.'

Palpitating with wonder and pleasure, Phoebe escaped. Such permission,
over-riding all Juliana's injunctions, was worth a few nettle stings and
a great fright; for Phoebe was not philosopher enough, in spite of Miss
Fennimore--ay, and of Robert--not to have a keen desire to see a great
party.

Her delay had so much convinced the sisters that her expedition had had
some fearful consequences, that Maria was already crying lest dear Phoebe
should be in disgrace; and Bertha had seated herself on the balusters,
debating with herself whether, if Phoebe were suspected of the trick (a
likely story) and condemned to lose her visit to London, she would
confess herself the guilty person.

And when Phoebe came back, too much overcome with delight to do anything
but communicate papa's goodness, and rejoice in the unlimited power of
making presents, Bertha triumphantly insisted on her confessing that it
had been a capital thing that the nettles were in Juliana's nosegay!

Phoebe shook her head; too happy to scold, too humble to draw the moral
that the surest way to gratification is to remove the thorns from the
path of others.

CHAPTER III

She gives thee a garland woven fair,
Take care!
It is a fool's-cap for thee to wear,
Beware! Beware!
Trust her not,
She is fooling thee!--LONGFELLOW, from MULLER

Behold Phoebe Fulmort seated in a train on the way to London. She was a
very pleasant spectacle to Miss Charlecote opposite to her, so peacefully
joyous was her face, as she sat with the wind breathing in on her, in the
calm luxury of contemplating the landscape gliding past the windows in
all its summer charms, and the repose of having no one to hunt her into
unvaried rationality.

Her eye was the first to detect Robert in waiting at the terminus, but he
looked more depressed than ever, and scarcely smiled as he handed them to
the carriage.

'Get in, Robert, you are coming home with us,' said Honor.

'You have so much to take, I should encumber you.'

'No, the sundries go in cabs, with the maids. Jump in.'

'Do your friends arrive to-night?'

'Yes; but that is no reason you should look so rueful! Make the most of
Phoebe beforehand. Besides, Mr. Parson