Page:The Semi-detached House.djvu/137

 "Now do give up that nonsensical habit, it has lasted a week and I am sick of it, and what is more, it does not take with Willis, and I tell you once more, that it is of immense importance to the Baron to to " she was puzzled with the Baron's schemes, and perhaps ashamed to put them into words. "In short, Rachel, Mr. Willis must be—"

"Taken in Aunt Rebecca?" she looked fixedly at her Aunt and saw her shrink, but the Baroness rallied, and said

"He must be civilly treated and made to feel that we are his real friends, and I must insist on your making our house agreeable to him."

"I cannot possibly combine the two very distinct ideas of Mr. Willis and agreeableness; and if you object to my poetical vein, I am lost. You told me he was sentimental, and I had collected a splendid set of quotations, adapted to that state of mind, and now 'my tongue must be a stringless instrument.' What next Aunt?"