e in
which women were not supposed to be good for anything, and consequently
I am in the hands of my trustees."

"I think he foresaw that, mother," said Elinor, still with her head
averted and her eyes far away; "but he thought you might represent to
the trustees that not only would it give you more money, but it would be
better in the end for me. Oh, how I hate to have to say this to you,
mamma!"

How steadily Mrs. Dennistoun kept her countenance, though her daughter
now flung herself upon her shoulder with uncontrollable tears!

"My darling, it is quite natural you should say it. You must tell Philip
that I fear I am powerless. I will try, but I don't think anything will
come of it. I have been glad to be free of responsibility, and I have
never attempted to interfere."

"Mother, I am so thankful. I oughtn't to go against him, ought I? But I
would not have you take his advice. It is so dreadful not to appear----"

"My dear, you must try to think that he understands better than you do:
men generally do: you are only a girl, and they are trained more or less
to business."

"Not Phil! not Phil!"

"Well, he must have some capacity for it, some understanding, or they
would not want him on those boards; and you cannot have, Elinor, for you
know nothing about it. To hear you speak of per cents. makes me laugh."
It was a somewhat forlorn kind of laugh, yet the mother executed it
finely: and by and by the subject dropped, and Elinor was turned to talk
of other things--other things of which there was a great deal to say,
and over which they cried and laughed together as nature bade.

In the same evening, the precious evening of which she did not like to
waste a moment, Mrs. Dennistoun unfolded her plan for the season. "I
feel that I know exactly the kind of house I want; it will probably be
in some quiet insignificant place, a Chapel Street, or a Queen Street,
or a Park Street somewhere, but in a good situation. You shall have the
first floor all to yourself to receive your visitors, and if you think
that Philip would prefer a separate table----"

"Oh, mamma, mamma!" cried Elinor, clinging to her, kissing passionately
her mother's cheek, which was still as soft as a child's.

"It is not anything you have told me now that has put this into my head,
my darling. I had made it all up in my own mind. Then, you know, when
your husband is engaged with those business affairs--in the city--or
with his own friends--you would