so.' I am enchanted
at all the attention she receives, and at the way men rave over her.
It's a mother's feeling. One night, I recall, when Danvers Carmichael
had positively compromised Isabel by his attentions, for he's always
after her, the dear duchess said to me:

"'Anne, this is going too far!' And I said:

"'Dearest, it may be; but I have no heart to stop them. They both look
so happy.' And the duchess replied:

"'Anne, your feelings do you credit; and I think it's so sweet and
womanly to be so honest about it.'

"'We naturally like to have our children beloved,' I answered, stiffly.

"That's just what I say all of the time!" she went on, as though some
one might stop her by a speech of his own. "Just what I say, Lord
Stair; both to Alexander Carmichael and his son. How beautiful, how
very beautiful the friendship between you is. And between your children
as well! Danvers is quite like a brother to your daughter, isn't he?

"I really believe--now don't contradict me," she said, waving her
handkerchief at her daughter, "I really believe that Isabel was
inclined to be jealous yesterday. Danvers has always been so devoted to
her--always, since she was quite a little, little girl; and I am
afraid--just a tiny morsel afraid--that it was hard for her to share
him.

"Not that you were to blame, dearest," she said, turning to Nancy, "not
the very least bit in the world. It was quite plain who claimed your
time! Quite plain! His Grace of Borthwicke is positively the most
fascinating creature I ever saw--positively. We never can get him in
London at all; so I never took my eyes from him; and all the town
bowing before him--and he absolutely on his knees before you, my dear!
Absolutely!

"Pardon me for mentioning it--forgive me, won't you?--but what a
beautiful, exquisite ring! Look, Isabel! Quite like an engagement ring.
Now could it--I wonder--could it," peering at it and then at Nancy
through her glasses--Nancy, whose eyes had the significant darkness in
them which I have mentioned so often.

"It is not an engagement ring," she answered quietly.

And here Janet, who had watched the Hon. Mrs. Erskine in much the same
manner as she would have regarded a foolish old cat, came into the
talk.

"Since you think so highly of Danvers, Mrs. Erskine, ye must say a good
word for him to Nancy Stair. He's my choice for her to marry," she
said, looking around with a bland smile.

"And does he want to marry her?" Mrs. Er