"You are too young and foolish," said Virginia.
"The first objection doesn't lie against you, though the second may," he retorted. "You'd better look to your laurels. Isa and Molly are both well ahead of you."
"What of that?" she said, reddening with vexation. "Isa's two years older than I, and taking a poor minister whom I wouldn't look at."
"Sour grapes," suggested her brother, teasingly. "And Molly's not a year older than you, and has married rich."
"A second-hand husband!" sneered Virginia; at which Walter laughed uproariously.
"O Virgie, Virgie, those grapes are terribly sour!" he said. "But do let us hear what Isa has to say about it."
"I haven't finished the letter; but there, take it; what do I care about her fine dresses and presents, and the splendors of Magnolia Hall?"
"Well," he cried presently, "Cousin Elsie did the thing handsomely! and he's a splendid fellow, if he is second-hand. No wonder Dick's pleased. I only wish my sisters might all do as well."
In the library Calhoun was saying, as he laid down his uncle's letter, which he had just read aloud, "Cousin Elsie is certainly the most generous of women! Mother, you could not have read this when you uttered that insinuation against her a few moments since?"
Mrs. Conly colored violently under her son's searching gaze.