"
"The Colonel was obliged to tell him in the autumn that we did not
approve of flirtations between cousins," said Mrs. Brownlow.
"And he answered—-?"
"That flirtation was the last thing he intended," said the Colonel.
"On which I told him that I would have no nonsense."
"Was that all?"
"Except that at Christmas he sent her, by way of card, a drawing that
must have cost a large sum," said the Colonel. "We thought it better
to let the child keep it without remark, for fear of putting things
into her head; though I wrote and told him such expensive trumpery
was folly that I was much tempted to forbid. So what does he do on
Valentine's Day but send her a complete set of ornaments like little
birds, in Genoa silver—-exquisite things. Well, she was very good,
dear child. We told her it was not nice or maidenly to take such
valuable presents; and she was quite contented and happy when her
mother gave her a ring of her own, and we have written to Jessie to
send her some pretty things from India."
"She said she did not care for anything that Ellie did not have too,"
added her mother.
"Then you returned them?"
"Yes, and my young gentleman patronisingly replies that he
'appreciates my reluctance, and reserves them for a future time.
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