blue eyes and golden hair of a Madonna. We shall always be contrasts, and never be rivals."
"At all events," answered Ethel, "we can never be the last."
"I don't know," said Lady Marchmont; "but, at all events, we will be generous about our lovers."
"I neither expect nor wish for any," said her companion.
"Not wish for a lover!" cried Henrietta; "I never heard any thing so absurd! or, perhaps, you would prefer waiting till after you are married?"
"My dear Henrietta," exclaimed Ethel, colouring; and, after a moment's pause, added, "I never wish to hear the name even of a lover again."
"What, my dear, frightened at the narrow escape you had of being married?" replied Lady Marchmont, purposely alluding to the marriage; for she felt that even hinting at Norbourne Courtenaye was treading on too delicate ground. No woman likes to dwell on a subject so mortifying as a faithless lover.
