really, it was a large "bird" to bag, in the beginning of
the season, too!

"Very possibly," said Mrs. Kennyfeck, looking to her elder daughter
with that silent eloquence which the court occasionally bestows upon the
crown counsel, meaning to say: "Have you anything to reply to that?"

"Mamma is aware that Sir Harvey is a baronet, and a captain of Hussars,
and Jonas Upton of Somerton is his uncle, who may, or may not, leave him
his large estates--a circumstance, most probably, mainly dependent on
the alliance he may form in marriage."

"Yes, indeed! my dear," broke in Aunt Fanny; "and when the old man finds
out that 'tis only an attorney's daughter--"

"Fanny, do you mean to drive me distracted?" screamed Mrs. Kennyfeck;
"are my children to be taught to be ashamed of their father?"

"'T is a lesson they might know by heart, this time of day, my dear,"
said the inexorable Fanny, who put up her spectacles, and smoothed down
her apron,--unmistakable signs that she was preparing for battle.

"You need n't 'beat to quarters,' aunt, as Captain Luttredge says; there
is no one going to fire into you," said Miss Kennyfeck. "The question at
present is, how is Olivia to free herself from an unhappy connection--"

"An unhappy connection!" exclaimed Livy, in amazement.

"Listen to your sister, and don't interrupt her," said Mrs. Kennyfeck.

"I spoke advisedly, Livy," resumed the elder, "when I called your
connection with Sir Harvey Upton unhappy. We have just learned that far
higher views are open to you,--that no less a person than Mr. Cashel--"

"Impossible, mamma! he never notices me in the least. Our acquaintance
is scarcely more than a cold act of recognition when we meet."

"Though love is hot sometimes, soon it grows cold," muttered Aunt Fanny,
who believed she was quoting to the letter.

"There never was love in the case at all, aunt," said Olivia.

"Attend to _me_, Livy," said her sister, who seemed impatient at this
digression. "It is sufficient--it ought, at least, to be sufficient--for
you, that _we_ know Mr. Roland Cashel's intentions. It is for _you_
to establish a coolness with Sir Harvey. There is no difficulty in the
task. I could not presume to instruct _you_ in any matter of this kind,
nor will I."

"Take a friend's advice, Livy dear, and don't throw out dirty water till
you're sure of clean."

"What, aunt?" asked Olivia, who really was puzzled by the figurative
eloquence of her relative.

"Psha