“I should scarcely venture to call Miss Roxbury cousin,” said Charlie.
“She is very nice, indeed,” pursued Fanny. “Rose fell in love with her at first sight, and the admiration was mutual, I think.”
Rose shrugged her shoulders.
“That is, perhaps, a little strong, Fanny, dear. She is very charming, I have no doubt, but I am not so apt to fall into sudden admirations as I used to be.”
“But you admired her very much. And you said she was very like Lily Elphinstone, when you first saw her. I am sure you thought her very lovely, and so did Graeme.”
“Did I?” said Rose.
“She is very like her,” said Mr Millar. “I did not notice it till her mother mentioned it. She is like her in other respects, too; but livelier and more energetic. She is stronger than Lily used to be, and perhaps a little more like the modern young lady.”
“Fast, a little, perhaps,” said Arthur.
“Oh! no; not like one in the unpleasant sense that the word has. She is self-reliant. She has her own ideas of men and things, and they are not always the same as her mamma’s. But she is a dutiful daughter, and she is charming with her little brothers and sisters. Such a number there are of them, too.”
Charlie spoke eagerly, looking at Graeme. “You seem deeply interested in her,” said Arthur, laughing.