lful dulling, and often on one point it may be silent,
though alive and active on others."

"Yes," said Henrietta, as if satisfied.

"And above all," said her mother, "it, like other gifts, grows
dangerous, it may become affectation."

"Pruding," said Beatrice, "showing openly that you like it to be
observed how prudent and proper you are."

"Whereas true delicacy would shrink from showing that it is conscious
of anything wrong," said Henrietta. "Wrong I do not exactly mean, but
something on the borders of it."

"Yes," said Aunt Mary, "and above all, do not let this delicacy show
itself in the carping at other people, which only exalts our own opinion
of ourselves, and very soon turns into 'judging our neighbour.'"

"But there is false delicacy, aunt."

"Yes, but it would be false kindness to enter on a fresh discussion
tonight, when you ought to be fast asleep."

CHAPTER XI.

The Queen Bee, usually undisputed sovereign of Knight Sutton, found in
her cousin Roger a formidable rival. As son and heir, elder brother, and
newly arrived after five years' absence, he had considerable claims to
attention, and his high spirits, sailor manners, sea stories, and bold
open temper, were in themselves such charms that it was no wonder that
Frederick and Alexander were seduced from their allegiance, and even
grandpapa was less than usual the property of his granddaughter.

This, however, she might have endured, had the sailor himself been
amenable to her power, for his glories would then have become hers, and
have afforded her further opportunities of coquetting with Fred. But
between Roger and her there was little in common: he was not, and never
had been, accessible to her influence; he regarded her, indeed, with all
the open-hearted affection of cousinly intercourse, but for the rest,
thought her much too clever for him, and far less attractive than either
Henrietta or Jessie.

If she would, Henrietta might have secured his devotion, for he was
struck with her beauty, and considered it a matter of credit to himself
to engross the prettiest person present. Had Beatrice been in her place,
it may be doubted how far love of power, and the pleasure of teasing,
might have carried her out of her natural character in the style that
suited him; but Henrietta was too simple, and her mind too full of her
own affairs even to perceive that he distinguished her. She liked
him, but she showed none of the little airs which