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98 her youth, whereas in fact she wished she was older and had more determination.

"Old enough, however, to choose for yourself. It is astonishing how soon young ladies learn to do that," said Miss Hope.

"To choose for myself?" said Eveline with a bewildered air. "No, I did not do that."

"Then you had happiness thrust upon you by affectionate friends. No matter how it comes, if you are quite sure it is happiness," said Miss Hope.

"I don't know why you should speak in such a way to me, for even though I am so young I am not your pupil."

"Certainly you are not," said Miss Hope, "and as everything appears to be so satisfactory, there is very little occasion for you to take a hint from any one," and the matter dropped.

Lady Eveline did not know and could not guess that Miss Hope had found the man irresistible to whom she was herself so indifferent; she had considered her insinuations very impertinent, and had answered her with a hauteur which was not at all usual or natural to her. She had felt Miss Hope's eyes often on her, and they had made her feel uncomfortable. Her conscience was uneasy; she knew