"But that is no concern of ours," said Margaret; "and Easter is so far off."
"It does concern you, though," replied Miss Cunningham, "for papa has got it into his head that I shall learn much better if I can get some other girls to have lessons with me. He says it will be much more amusing, and I shall like it better; and so be has been trying to persuade your mamma to let you go up too, and then the same masters will do for all."
"Then that is what Lord Rochford meant the other day," said Amy, "when he talked about a plan, and begged aunt Harrington to mention it to mamma."
"Did he wish you to go too?" asked Miss Cunningham.
The words of this question were very simple; but the tone of it showed plainly that the idea was not agreeable; and Amy felt quite abashed, and answered hurriedly, that she did not know what was wished, for that no more had been said upon the subject.
"Won't it be delightful?" said Miss Cunningham to Margaret; "We shall be together so much, and shall go to the theatre; and, perhaps there will be some parties for girls of our age; you know there are such things."
"It would be all very nice if there were any chance of it," replied
Margaret.
"And why should there not be?" exclaimed Miss Cunningham, who had never dreamt of any obstacle to a wish of her father's.
"Because," said Margaret, "mamma will not allow it."
"And why not? what objection can she have?"