The kind old lady rose with a little of assumption of dignity, which lasted till each of the blooming girls came up in her turn to be kissed. The eldest duly kissed first.
"How well you are all looking!" exclaimed she; "nothing like the country for girls, as I always used to say at Claver House. Come, take your places. Helen, you shall pour out the coffee. Georgiana, give me the water, and Isabella, you can hand the muffins. I always make young people useful." All gladly drew round the table, and Mrs. Palmer's exhortation of "Poor dears, do enjoy yourselves," was fulfilled, even to her own satisfaction.
"Palm," said she, "is gone to dine at his club, they meet once a month, and he never misses. They say clubs make men very unsociable, but I don't think so. I am sure Palm always comes home in the best of humours, and the next day he has lots of news. Bless me, he brought home from the last dinner two marriages, four christenings, and one death, no, not quite, for old Mr. Clumber did not die, his life was only despaired of."
"I wish it had been Mr. Glentworth," said Georgiana.
"Well," cried Mrs. Palmer, "I cannot be sorry at having you all back again. But what news from Brighton? any of you going to be married? any of you lost your hearts? though I do not know whether it is quite right to talk to girls about their hearts.
