e very fond of that wicked Richard Trevor,
bad as he's behaved to you."

Tiny gave her a pitiful look.

"Then I say, once for all, it would be a piece of horrible wickedness
for you to let papa frighten you into this engagement. Now, tell me
directly how it was. You ought to have told me before. If you had been
a good, wise sister, you would."

"Oh, Tin, I could not tell you!" said Tiny, plaintively. "You had just
come in from the square, and looked so happy about--"

"I didn't--I wasn't--I hate him; and I won't listen to him any more till
you are happy," burst out Fin.

Tiny smiled.

"Papa sent for me into his study, and took my hand, and sat down by me.
He was so gentle and kind. He said he wanted to see us both settled in
a position which should give us the entree into good society; for he
said that, after all, he knew well enough people did not care for him,
as he'd been a tradesman."

Fin gave her head a jerk.

"He told me he had given way about--about--"

"Yes, yes--go on--I know," said Tin.

"And that if he had not lost his position he should never have opposed
the match; but as that was all over, he begged me to consent to receive
Captain Vanleigh's attentions. And, oh, Fin, he knew about the
attentions to that poor girl, and told me of it."

"Then some spiteful spy must have told him that," cried Fin. "Oh, Aunt
Matty."

"He talked to me for an hour, Fin, so kindly all the time--said it would
be for the best, and that it would make him happy and me too, he was
sure; and at last I gave way. For oh, Fin, darling, I had no hope
yesterday--nothing, I felt, to live for; and I thought that if I could
make him satisfied, and dear ma happy, that was all I need care to do."

"Then you were a wicked, weak little coward," said Fin, "I'd have died
sooner than given way. There, here they are again for us; and now I
suppose we are to meet those people to-night."

"Yes; papa said he should write to Captain Vanleigh."

"And Sir Felix, of course. Madame, your humble servant--Finetta, Lady
Landells. There, we're coming down now. Miss Rea is better," she said,
in answer to a knock at the door.

Tiny turned to the glass, and smoothed her hair, while Fin went and
stood behind her, holding her waist.

"What are you going to do?" she said, sharply.

Tiny shook her head.

"Masterly inactivity--that's the thing," cried Fin. "Do nothing; let
things drift, same as I do. It can't go on, I'm sure it ca