Mrs. Acton's house was to be the place of rendezvous, and she would
take charge of the girls for part of the day, the boys wished to
shift for themselves; and Allen and Bobus had friends of their own
with whom they meant to lunch.
Clara met her friend with an agitated manner, half-laughing, half-
crying, as she said—-
"Well, Mother Carey dear, you haven't quite soared above us yet?"
"Petrels never take high flights," said Carey; "I hope and trust that
it may prove impossible to make a fine lady of me. I am caught late,
you see."
"Your daughters are not. You won't like to have them making excuses
for mamma's friends."
"Janet's exclusiveness will not be of that sort, and for warm-hearted
little Babie, trust her. Do you know where the Ogilvies can be
written to, Clara? Are they at Rome, or Florence?"
"They were to be at Florence by the l4th. Mary has learnt to be such
a traveller, that she always drags her brother abroad for however
short a time St. Kenelm may give her."
"I hope I shall catch her in time. We want her for our governess."
"Now, really, Carey, you are a woman for old friends! But do you
think you will get on? You know she won't spare you."
"That's the very reason I want her."
"It is very generous of you! You always were the best little thing
in the world, with a strong turn for being under the lash; so you're
going to keep the slave in the back of your triumphal chariot, like
the Roman general.
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