“Marry her as soon as possible,” was the prompt and decided reply.  “It is her second summer ‘out,’ and she should at least be engaged.”

“I can do nothing.  What do you advise, Jane?”

“In the first place, stop her being with such gentlemen as Mr. Hardcash.”

“Eva is so high-spirited,” groaned Mrs. Fluffy, “I fear she would not listen to me.”

“You mean obstinate, Sarah.  Tell her seriously that she has had two very gay seasons—­that you can’t afford another—­that she must make up her mind now.  Then think over all the most eligible gentlemen you know, and cultivate their acquaintance.”

“Couldn’t you help me, Jane?” asked the other timidly.  “I shall not know what to do.”

“Let me see,” continued Mrs. S. in a musing tone.  “If you had a country-house you could manage better.  Elderly gentlemen are usually pleased with domestic attractions, and there are many little attentions that you and Eva could show them which in any other position would look like courting them.  Then there would be no danger of competition.  Indeed, if a pretty girl has a gentleman all to herself for a week or two at a romantic country-house, a wedding is sure to follow.  But there must be no jarring, fretting, bad cooking or any household ill whatever—­no talk of poor servants or dishonest grooms:  everything must be couleur de rose.”

“Jane, it appears to me you are talking very silly,” said Mrs. Fluffy, glad of a chance to attack her superior sister.  “You know I have no country-house, and I can’t buy one just to marry Eva and Laura from.”

“I merely said if you had.  I thought you might be pleased to hear my theory,” replied Mrs. Stunner stiffly, “The next best thing for you is to have a parlor here, get up picnics and drives, make card-parties with suppers—­gentlemen so like to eat!—­and do not spare expense when you have a good investment in view.  You can limit the invitations to two or three gentlemen who are especially eligible:  make these some little compliment, such as ’You will come of course—­our little party would not be complete without you.’  Contrive that they take care of the girls, and you can entertain the others.  Occasionally include some young ladies in your evenings, so that the world may not say you are afraid of them, but don’t let them become intimate.”—­Here Mrs. Stunner paused for breath.

“It sounds easy enough,” said poor Mrs. F. dolefully.

“It is not easy at all,” sharply replied her sister, “but if we manage well we sha’n’t have to go through with it more than one summer.”

“Then you will help me?”

“I suppose I must sacrifice myself for the good of the family,” said the Stunner in an heroic tone, “but you must let me have my own way entirely.”

“Oh yes, Jane—­certainly.  I am so much obliged!” replied Mrs. Fluffy with effusion.

“Then it is not necessary to explain my plans further:  I shall be there and will manage.”