n were after her. If Mr.
Keith was trying to marry her, as every one said, he must be in love
with her. He would never marry any one whom he did not love. If he were
in love with Mrs. Lancaster, would she marry him? Her belief was that
she would.

At the thought she for one moment had a pang of envy.

Her reverie was broken in on by Mrs. Wentworth.

"Why are you so pensive? You have not said a word since we started."

"Why, I do not know. I was just thinking. You know, such a dinner is
quite an episode with me."

"Did you have a pleasant time? Was Mr. Keith agreeable? I was glad to
see you had him; for he is a very agreeable man when he chooses, but
quite moody, and you never know what he is going to say."

"I think that is one of his--of his charms--that you don't know what he
is going to say. I get so tired of talking to people who say just what
you know they are going to say--just what some one else has just said
and what some one else will say to-morrow. It is like reading an
advertisement."

"Lois, you must not be so unconventional," said Mrs. Wentworth. "I must
beg you not to repeat such a thing as your performance this evening. I
don't like it."

"Very well, Cousin Louise, I will not," said the girl, a little stiffly.
"I shall recognize your wishes; but I must tell you that I do not agree
with you. I hate conventionality. We all get machine-made. I see not the
least objection to what I did, except your wishes, of course, and
neither did Mr. Keith."

"Well, while you are with me, you must conform to my wishes. Mr. Keith
is not responsible for you. Mr. Keith is like other men--ready to
flatter a young and unsophisticated girl."

"No; Mr. Keith is not like other men. He does not have to wait and see
what others think and say before he forms an opinion. I am so tired of
hearing people say what they think others think. Even Mr. Rimmon, at
church, says what he thinks his congregation likes--just as when he
meets them he flatters them and tells them what dear ladies they are,
and how well they look, and how good their wine is. Why can't people
think for themselves?"

"Well, on my word, Lois, you appear to be thinking for yourself! And you
also appear to think very highly of Mr. Keith," said Mrs. Wentworth.

"I do. I have known Mr. Keith all my life," said the girl, gravely. "He
is associated in my mind with all that I loved."

"There, I did not mean to call up sorrowful thoughts," said Mrs.
Wentworth. "