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Rh ; you cannot deny that. I have the best authority for believing her to be amiable. As for the people among whom she has been living, she cannot have got much harm from them in three or four years. Her father was a gentleman and a man of genius, and her mother was Lady Eveline Darlington. My mind is made up on the matter, and I shall act as I please, however disagreeable you may choose to make yourself about it. I believe it is all jealousy; you do not like the notion of a younger and prettier sister cutting you out."

If Anthony Derrick had designed to prejudice his sister against Amy he could not have taken a more successful course of action. Her mind had not been prepared for the news, as his had been, and she was naturally surprised at Anthony's rapid proceeding upon his discovery. Her habitual opposition to her brother, too, came into play; but when Anthony carefully pointed out that this unknown sister might be more loved and admired in society, as well as by himself, and attributed her objection to jealousy, he raised the very spirit which he decried.

"It is all very proper that you should wish to do something for her, but if she is comfortable with these Australian people, I don't see why you should take her away from them," said aunt