morning's occupation. When she closed the door, Minnie,
who had been waiting eagerly, leaned forward to her mother. "As for being
in his way, Theo has no right to be selfish, mamma. He ought to think
of Chatty. _She_ ought to think of Chatty. I shall not have nearly so
good an opinion of her, if she does not take a little trouble and do
something for Chatty now she is going out again and has it in her
power."

"For Chatty--but Chatty does not shoot!"

"You never will understand, mamma," said Mrs. Eustace Thynne with gentle
exasperation. "Chatty ought to be thought of now. I am sure I never was;
if it had not been for Eustace coming to Pierrepoint, I should have been
Miss Warrender all my life: and so will Chatty be Miss Warrender all her
life, if no one comes to the rescue. Of course it should lie with me in
the first place: but except neighbouring clergymen, we are likely to see
so few people just at present. To be sure I have married a clergyman
myself: but Eustace was quite an exceptional case, and clergymen as a
rule can scarcely be called eligible: so there is nothing for it but
that Lady Markland should interfere."

"For Chatty? I beg your pardon, my dear. You are much wiser than I am;
but in the present case I think Chatty's mother is sufficient for all
needs."

"That was always your way, mamma, to take one up at a word without
thinking. Don't you remark Chatty, how awfully quiet she is? Eustace
remarked it the very first day. He is very quick to see a thing, and he
has a lot of sisters of his own. He said to me, Either Chatty has had a
disappointment or she is just bored to death staying at home. I think
very likely it is my marriage that has done it, for of course there
could have been no disappointment," Minnie added calmly. "Seeing both me
and Theo happy, she naturally asks herself, Am I always to sit here like
an old person with mamma?"

Mrs. Warrender felt the prick, but only smiled. "I don't think she asks
herself that question: but in any case I am afraid she must just be left,
however dull it may be, with mamma."

"Oh, I hope you will be reasonable," said Minnie, "I hope you will not
stand in poor Chatty's way. It is time she saw somebody, and that people
saw her. She is twenty-four. She has not much time to lose, Eustace
says."

"My dear Minnie, I don't object to what you say about your sister--that
is, I allow you have a right to speak: but Eustace is quite a different
matter. We will leave hi