ed Eveleen.

'Only a stranger makes us more formal,' said Amy.

'What an innocent you are! It is of no use to talk to you!' said
Eveleen, running away.

'No; but Eva,' said Amy, pursuing her, 'don't go off with a wrong fancy.
Charles has teased Laura so much about Philip, that of course it makes
her shy of him before strangers; and it would never have done to laugh
about their choosing the same things when Mr. Thorndale was there.'

'I must be satisfied, I suppose. I know that is what you think, for you
could not say any other.'

'But what do you think?' said Amy, puzzled.

'I won't tell you, little innocence--it would only shock you.'

'Nothing you _really_ _thought_ about Laura could shock me,' said Amy;
'I don't mean what you might say in play.'

'Well, then, shall you think me in play or earnest when I say that I
think Laura likes Philip very much?'

'In play' said Amy; 'for you know that if we had not got our own Charlie
to show us what a brother is, we should think of Philip as just the same
as a brother.'

'A brother! You are pretending to be more simple than you really are,
Amy! Don't you know what I mean?'

'O,' said Amy, her cheeks lighting up, 'that must be only play, for he
has never asked her.'

'Ah, but suppose she was in the state just ready to be asked?'

'No, that could never be, for he could never ask her,'

'Why not, little Amy?'

'Because we are cousins, and everything,' said Amy, confused. 'Don't
talk any more about it, Eva; for though I know it is all play, I don't
like it, and mamma, would not wish me to talk of such things. And
don't you laugh about it, dear Eva, pray; for it only makes every one
uncomfortable. Pray!'

Amy had a very persuasive way of saying 'pray,' and Eveleen thought she
must yield to it. Besides, she respected Laura and Captain Morville too
much to resolve to laugh at them, whatever she might do when her fear of
the Captain made her saucy.

Mrs. Edmonstone thought it best on all accounts to sit in the
drawing-room the next morning; but she need not have taken so much pains
to chaperon her young ladies, for the gentlemen did not come near them.

Laura was more at ease in manner, though very far from happy, for she
was restlessly eager for a talk with Philip; while he was resolved not
to seek a private interview, sure that it would excite suspicion, and
willing to lose the consciousness of his underhand proceedings.

This was the day of the dinner-party,