"Why! is it so disagreeable?" said the young man, sitting down in one of the light chairs, which creaked complainingly under his weight.
"Very," replied Miss Sheldon, nodding her head and pursing up her lips. "Very, very disagreeable. Being my guardian, she always seems to think I'm in mischief, and I have to report myself once a week to her like a ticket-of-leave man, or rather woman."
"Do you tell her everything?" asked Otterburn, rather aghast.
"With certain reservations. Yes!"
"I hope I'm included in the reservations?"
"Well, yes. At least, I've not yet sent Aunt Jelly a portrait of you."
"And shall I ever gain that enviable distinction?"
Miss Sheldon shrugged her shoulders with a laugh.
"Do you think it enviable to be dissected for the benefit of a carping old woman? I'm sure I don't. Besides, as you are a friend of Mr. Gartney's, you will meet his dreadful aunt on your return to England, and she can criticise you herself, instead of gaining an impression second-hand from me."
"If I do meet her, I hope the criticism will be favourable."