er the impression that unless she
partook of lobster salad every five minutes she must feel faint.

Aunt Matty was the only really happy person in the party. She had, to
the dismay of all, announced her intention of going, feeling sure that
the change would benefit Pepine; and the way in which Vanleigh and
Landells tried in emulation to gratify her whims was most flattering to
her.

Not that she was deceived by the attentions, and imagined them extorted
by her charms; she knew well enough the visitors' aims, and was
gratified at their discernment.

"They know how much depends upon my opinion," she said to herself; and
she smiled graciously upon them both as one carried Pepine down the
rocks, the other her shawl, and gave his arm; ending by playfully
sending them afterwards to the girls.

"Old girl's warm, I know," said Vanleigh to himself.

"We must keep in with the old nymph, Van," said Sir Felix to him at the
end of the day; just about the same time that Tiny was crying silently
in her bedroom; and Fin striding up and down like a small tragedy queen.

"He's a born idiot, Tiny!" she exclaimed; "and what pa can mean by
making such a fuss over him, and telling me it's a proud thing to become
a lady of title, I don't know. Ahem!--Lady Landells--fine, isn't it? I
don't see that dear ma's any happier for being Lady Rea."

"Papa seems infatuated with them," said Tiny, bitterly.

"Yes; and when he found that black captain paying you such attention, I
saw him smile and rub his hands."

"Oh, don't Fin!" exclaimed Tiny, shuddering.

"I believe he's a regular Bluebeard. Look at the little blue-black dots
all over his chin. I shouldn't be at all surprised if he's got half a
dozen wives in a sort of Madame Tussaud's Blue Chamber of Horrors,
preserved in waxwork."

"Pray don't be so foolish, Fin."

"Foolish? I don't call it foolish to talk about our future husbands."

"Fin!" cried her sister.

"Well, you see if that isn't what pa means! I saw Aunt Matty smirking
about it and petting the captain; and ma was almost in tears about their
goings on."

"Oh, Fin! don't talk so," said Tiny, sadly; "I shall never marry."

"Till you say Yes at the altar, and the bevy of beauteous bridesmaids
dissolve in tears," laughed Fin. "I say, though, Tiny, I'm not going to
be bought and sold like a heroine of romance. I wouldn't have that Sir
Felix--no, not if he was ten thousand baronets; and if you listen to
Bluebeard, Tin