The Hand of Ethelberta

o her companion, 'I have come, Picotee; but not, as you imagine, from a

he pupil-teacher, who, wearing a dress not so familiar to Christopher's eyes as had been the little white jacket, h

have come to Sandbourne to-day, because we are leaving to return again to Rookington. This is all that I wish you to take to mother-only a few little things which may be useful to her; but you will see what

' said Pico

or some time.' She put her arm round the waist of Picotee, who did the same by Ethelberta; and thus interlace

id you think

It is so different from mine. Yet that made them more interesting to me. I thought

. And you posted t

body that we are sisters, or that you are known in any way to me or to m

it is best for

do beautifully for me on Sundays. It is quite new-fashioned to me, though I suppose it was old-fashio

is only a knight's wid

looks as good on paper

make any inquiries at the stations of anybody but officials. If any man wants to be friendly with yo

know which?'

le it is most to be prized by all of us. I believe it ends oftener in marriage than do a lover's flying smiles. So that for this and other reasons love

that

something

a we

here before, and love-making and dishonesty are inseparable as coupled hounds. Up

Ethelberta; because i

d mind this, never te

e will neve

ing is often the difference between your winning and losing. But general advice i

did no

ten to this: not a kiss-not so much as the

,' murmured Picotee; 't

e him to whichever of the two you wish him to be is to treat him like the other. Men who come courting are just like bad cooks: if you ar

t a little, poor thing? Just t

it comes as a relief to his miser

all this; and we ought

ove you must be wise as a serpent, you'll

m, how can I manage him in

you in some way, does he not?-tr

doesn't do any such thing,

girl! Then he is not

But I am his, at an

for both. You don't suppose a man will give his heart in exchange for a woman's when h

ave you got a youn

oung

hat's what we cal

ta evasively. 'I knew one many years ago, a

rding to your own you have not; he does not

uite consider

u love

r seen a man

ies covered up

hich drove over the hill a

, and so on. I guess the style. Somebody who no more knows how m

ou an example of frankness by telling his name. My friend, Mr. Julian, to whom you posted the book. Such changes as he h

y a

ar Pic

sit down for a

over-walked y

t up very ear

be ill, child. You look as

not getting up in a hurry cause

ple who are

ther indifferent matters, so as to divert my thoughts from fainting, dear Berta. I have always thought the book was to be forwarded to that gentleman because he was a connection of yo

thelberta. 'I knew him once, and he is interestin

ll on one side

t attached to any one, strictly speaking-thoug

or I was like it once; but I had scarcely been so lon

re suspended between thinking and feeling-there is a hair's-breadth of time at which the question of getting into love or not getting in i

t well, I'l

nk lives of those who do not, and wanting not to love, to keep out of the

oes. I wish we poor girls could contrive to bring

marry you; and it is not very hard to reject wisely, but the poor man doesn't care. Altogether it is a precious problem. But shall we clamber out up