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 not sorry she is gone. I always think that having people to stay in one's house gives more trouble than pleasure."

"But Mary did not give much trouble, mamma."

"I do not know what you call trouble, my dear; but there was a fire in her room all day; and we always had game for second course, and she drinks cocoa at breakfast, which is quite ridiculous. That is one of the pretensions which young people set up in these days; they care about their diet; that was never allowed in my time. I should like to have seen my aunt's face if I had asked for cocoa for breakfast when I was a girl."

"She has pleasant, lively manners," said Mr. Douglas.

"And likes a joke," added Mr. Wentworth. "How she laughed at my story about Hammond!"

"I don't wonder," said Sarah; "there are no stories so amusing as yours."

"You have not heard the fiftieth part of them yet. Why, when I was at Christchurch, Thompson, Hammond, and I used sometimes to sit up till two in the morning, telling good stories; and I suppose you never heard anything more amusing. Lady Teviot laughed at my pun about rain, did not she, Sarah?"

"That she did; she was quite delighted with it."

"The Beauforts all laugh as if they thought they had good teeth," said Mrs. Douglas.

"And so they have, Anne."

"My dear, I am not disputing the fact, I merely observe that they are convinced of it themselves. Eliza, did Lady Teviot say anything to you about going there?"

"No, mamma; she said Lady Eskdale sent her love."

"What wonderful munificence! and Lady Teviot brought it quite safe all the way from the Castle. How very kind! I suppose when Lady Eskdale is left alone again you will be sent for."