CHAPTER III. 
A FAMILY COUNCIL. 
TT 7HEN the two young friends had taken 
^ ^ their leave after an evening spent at the 
Deans', Milton, addressing his younger sister, 
said, 
“ Well, Min, you and Mr. Davidson seemed 
to have a mutual good time over there in the 
corner. Pray, will it be divulging any precious 
secrets if you inform us what subject so inter¬ 
ested you. Was it good looks, wit, or wisdom ? 
But why should I ask, for it was the former of 
course, for that is what you girls are always 
looking after.” 
“ Thank you, brother,” was the reply, for the 
very high estimate in which you hold the wit 
of your sister; but if you are always as wide of 
the mark as you are now in your guessing, you 
ought to confine yourself to plain facts. I paid 
but little attention to the personal appearance of 
either of your friends, and formed no very high 
32 
