“Yes; but he is annoyingly inconsiderate.  About a fortnight ago, Marian and Elinor went to Putney to a private view at Mr. Scott’s studio.  On their way back they saw Marmaduke on the river, and, rather unnecessarily, I think, entered into conversation with him.  He begged them to come to Hammersmith in his boat, saying that he had something there to shew them.  Elinor, it appears, had the sense to ask whether it was anything they ought not to see; but he replied on his honor that it was something perfectly innocent, and promised that they should be delighted with it.  So they foolishly consented, and went with him to Hammersmith, where they left the river and walked some distance with him.  He left them in a road somewhere in West Kensington, and came back after about fifteen minutes with a little girl.  He actually presented her to Marian and Elinor as a member of the family whom they, as a matter of course, would like to know.”

“Well, such a thing to do!  And what happened?”

“Marian seems to have thought of nothing but the prettiness of the unhappy child.  She gravely informed me that she forgave Marmaduke everything when she saw how he doted on it.  Elinor has always shewn a disposition to defend him——­”

“She is full of perversity, and always was.”

“——­and this incident did not damage his credit with her.  However, after the little waif had been sufficiently petted and praised to gratify Master Marmaduke’s paternal feelings, they came home, and, instead of holding their tongues, began to tell all our people what a dear little child Marmaduke had, and how they considered that it ought not to be made to suffer for his follies.  In fact, I think they would have adopted it, if I had allowed them.”

“That is Marian all over.  Some of her ideas will serve her very well when she goes to heaven; but they will get her into scrapes in this wicked world if you do not take care of her.”

“I fear so.  For that reason I tolerate a degree of cynicism in Elinor’s character which would otherwise be most disagreeable to me.  It is often useful in correcting Marian’s extravagances.  Unfortunately, the incident at Hammersmith did not pass off without making mischief.  It happens that my sister Julia is interested in a Home for foundling girls—­a semi-private place, where a dozen children are trained as domestic servants.”

“Yes.  I have been through it.  It is very neat and pretty; but they really treat the poor girls as if they ought to be thankful for permission to exist.  Their dresses are so ugly!”

“Possibly.  I assure you that presentations are much sought after, and are very difficult to get.  Julia is a patroness.  Marian told her about this child of Marmaduke’s; and it happened that a vacancy had just occurred at the Home in consequence of one of the girls dying of melancholia and spinal affection.  Julia, who has perhaps more piety than tact, wrote to Marmaduke offering to present his daughter,