"William was afraid that you might grow conceited in your old age," said Mrs. Verne in a languid manner. To do justice to the latter it must be said that she was more natural than the Mrs. Verne of fashionable "Sunnybank."
"That's just what Jennie told him, Matilda," said Mrs. Montgomery, taking down a pretty panel that Marguerite had just finished.
"It is exquisite," added she viewing the picture from several points, in order to study the most striking effect of light and shade.
"Do tell me, Matilda, have you ever heard of the Lister family? Did they go back to their delightful Parnassus and revel in the music of their delectable Castalian spring?"
The mock gravity of the speech afforded considerable merriment.
"You have surely heard of the grand match which Urania made," said Mrs. Verne. "Why it was announced in most of the leading Canadian papers."
Poor Mrs. Verne! She almost betrayed her besetting sin, but Mrs.
Montgomery, good soul, seemed unconcious of the fact.
"Only think," cried Marguerite, "of Urania talking up those sublime theories to Sir George Vandewater of Cornwall."
"A Cornish knight," cried Mrs. Montgomery, clapping her hands with genuine glee.
"And sixty years into the bargain," chimed in Evelyn.