wound it not!
A yearning anguish is its lot;
In the green shadow of the tree,
The stranger finds no rest with thee."

"And when may we expect to be favored with the presence of this paragon
of perfection, and embodiment of all wisdom, papa?" asked Miss Evelina
Fairland, with what was intended for the utmost girlish sprightliness of
manner; for, although it was only at breakfast, Miss Evelina never laid
aside her manner of extreme youth, as she thought it best to be
continually in practice.

Her father answered quietly, that he expected Miss Elwyn by the
afternoon stage.

"Is she one of these prim, _old-maidish_ governesses, like our poor old
Miss Pratt?" asked Miss Calista, a lady of something over thirty, and
rather the worse for twelve years' wear, in the way of balls and
parties, the theatre and the opera. Indeed, at the breakfast table, Miss
Calista looked considerably older than she really was, with her pale,
faded cheeks, and her hair "en papillottes;" but, in the afternoon, by
the use of a little artificial bloom, some cork-screw ringlets, and a
manner as gay and girlish as that of her sister, she appeared quite
another creature.

To Miss Calista's question Mr. Fairland, with an amused pucker about the
mouth, answered:

"Oh, I shall tell you nothing about her looks; you must wait and judge
for yourselves. There's one thing I will say, however. I suppose you
can't alter your looks, girls; but, as far as manners are concerned, I
wish very much that I could place my two eldest daughters under Miss
Elwyn's tuition."

"Perhaps she will condescend to take a class, twice or three times a
week, in 'manners for six-pence,'" said the sprightly Miss Evelina. "I
should like to see Calista and myself curtseying, and walking, and
leaving and entering a room, as we used to be obliged to do for old Miss
Pratt. Wouldn't you, Calista?"

"Let's see," said Mr. Fairland, whose reminiscences were not always of
the most agreeable nature to the young ladies--"let's see. How long is
it since you and C'listy _were_ under the care of Miss Pratt? I think it
must be nigh twenty years."

"Twenty years, papa!--absurd!" shrieked Miss Calista; "why, you must be
losing your memory!"

Now, if Mr. Fairland's daughters were touchy on the subject of their
_ages,_ their father was no less so on that of his _memory,_ as Miss
Calista well knew when she made the foregoing remark.

"Losing my memory indeed, Miss C'listy! My memor