"It is a study," said the Colonel, as Rose moved off with a doll in

either hand; "a moral that you should take home."

Ermine shook her head, but smiled, saying, "Tell me, does your young

cousin know--"

"Alick Keith! Not from me, and Lady Temple is perfectly to be trusted;

but I believe his father knew it was for no worse reason that I was made

to exchange. But never mind, Ermine, he is a very good fellow, and what

is the use of making a secret of what even Violetta knows?"

There was no debating the point, for her desire of secrecy was prompted

by the resolution to leave him unbound, whereas his wish for publicity

was with the purpose of binding himself, and Ermine was determined that

discussion was above all to be avoided, and that she would, after the

first explanation, keep the conversation upon other subjects. So she

only answered with another reproving look and smile, and said, "And

now I am going to make you useful. The editor of the 'Traveller' is

travelling, and has left his work to me. I have been keeping some

letters for him to answer in his own hand, because mine betrays

womanhood; but I have just heard that he is to stay about six weeks

more, and people must be put out of their misery before that. Will you

copy a few for me? Here is some paper with the office stamp."

"What an important woman you are, Ermine."

"If you had been in England all this time, you would see how easy

the step is into literary work; but you must not betray this for the

'Traveller's' sake or Ailie's."

"Your writing is not very womanish," said the colonel, as she gave him

his task. "Or is this yours? It is not like that of those verses on

Malvern hills that you copied out for me, the only thing you ever gave

me."

"I hope it is more to the purpose than it was then, and it has had to

learn to write in all sorts of attitudes."

"What's this?" as he went on with the paper; "your manuscript entitled

'Curatocult.' Is that the word? I had taken it for the produce of Miss

Curtis's unassisted genius."

"Have you heard her use it!" said Ermine, disconcerted, having by no

means intended to betray Rachel.

"Oh yes! I heard her declaiming on Sunday about what she knows no more

about than Conrade! A detestable, pragmatical, domineering girl! I am

thankful that I advised Lady Temple only to take the house for a

year. It was right she should see her relations, but she must not be

tyrannized over."

"I don't believe she dislikes it."

"She dislikes no one! She used to profess a liking for a huge

Irishwoman, whose husband had risen from the ranks; the most tremendous

woman I ever saw, except Miss Curtis."




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