‘Oh yes, Anne,’ said Rupert, ’perfectly right, you have caught Helen’s sententious wisdom exactly; I have no doubt that such were the thoughts which passed through her mind, while she sat like propriety personified, wondering how you could have so little sense of decorum as to laugh at anything so impudent.’

‘I know I ought not to have laughed,’ said Anne; ’that was one of the occasions when I did not exert sufficient self-control.  But there was really very little to laugh at, it was quite an old joke.  Rupert had disposed of Fido’s heart long before, but he is so fond of his own wit, that he never knows when we have had enough of a joke.’

‘I could tell you of something much worse, Anne,’ said Lady Merton, ‘which quite proves the truth of what you say.’

Rupert coloured, made an exclamation about something in the road, and seemed so much discomposed by this hint, that Anne forbore to ask any questions.

‘Rupert fitted himself to a T, that we must say for him,’ said Sir Edward.

‘What do you mean, Papa?’ said Anne.

‘There is another word which begins with self-con—­’ said Lady Merton,’ which suits him remarkably well.’

‘Ah! ha!’ cried Anne.

‘At any rate,’ cried Rupert vigorously, ’do not make it appear as if I were the only individual with a tolerable opinion of my own advantages—­when Helen looks like the picture of offended dignity if you presume to say a syllable contrary to some of her opinions, or in disparagement of dear Dykelands; and Kate thinks herself the most lovely creature upon earth, and the only useful person in the house; and Harriet believes no one her equal in the art of fascination; and Mrs. Woodbourne thinks no children come within a mile of hers in beauty and excellence; and Lizzie—­’

‘I am sure few people are more humble-minded than Lizzie,’ interrupted Anne indignantly.

’What, when she would take no one’s advice but her own, if it were to save her life?’ said Rupert.

’But she thinks everyone better than herself, and makes no parade either of her talents or of her usefulness,’ said Anne.

‘Still she has a pretty high opinion of her own judgement,’ said Rupert.

‘Well she may,’ said Anne.

‘When it leads her to go to Mechanics’ Institutes,’ said Rupert; ‘that is the reason Anne respects her so much.’

‘I advise you to throw no stones at her, Sir,’ said Sir Edward; ’it would be well if some people of my acquaintance were as upright in acknowledging deficiencies in themselves, as she is.’

‘Besides, I cannot see that Helen is conceited,’ said Anne; ’if she was, she would not be made unhappy by other people’s criticisms.’

‘Helen wants a just estimate of herself,’ said Lady Merton; ’she cares more for what people say of what she does, than whether it is good in itself.’

‘But, Anne,’ said Sir Edward, ’why do not you claim to be the only person in the world devoid of conceit?’