"Oh, is she your aunt, after all?" cried Miss Flora. "We supposed you were not related to her in any way."
"Nor am I," replied Margaret; and condescended to no explanations.
"It was a curious freak of Mrs. Grey, taking you up so, was it not?" inquired Miss Mary in a most innocent tone. "How surprised you must have been! How strange it must seem to be suddenly introduced to such new scenes! Do excuse our curiosity, we would not do anything ill-bred for the world; but how did you contrive to ingratiate yourself so with her?"
"By no contrivance whatever; I scorn contrivance!"
"Oh, I did not mean to offend you."
"I am not offended."
"Well, touched, then. Not one of us would intentionally say anything ill-bred. Mamma has trained us so carefully! We have just returned from Europe, where we spent nearly three years. It is very improving. You ought to coax Mrs. Grey to take you abroad. You have no idea how refining it is to see works of art, and to mix with cultivated people."
"I never coax," was the reply.
"Comme elle est fière!" said one sister to another.