Now, Anne, though she did not posses the tall figure or striking countenance of her cousins, the Woodbournes, or the brilliant complexion of her brother, was one of those people who always look well.  She was small and slightly made, and very graceful; and everything she wore was appropriate and becoming, so that, without bestowing much thought on the matter, she never looked otherwise than perfectly well dressed.  She was rather pale; her eyes were grey, with long dark lashes; and her hair brown; her features were well formed and animated; and though by no means remarkable, everyone called her nice-looking; some said she was pretty, and a few thought and felt that her countenance was lovely.  So much had lately been said about dress—­about Elizabeth’s curls, and Helen’s tails, and Anne’s lace—­that, wonderful to say, it was the readiest subject Elizabeth could find to meditate upon.  As she looked at her cousin’s white muslin frock, with its border of handsome Moravian work, and its delicate blue satin ribbons, at her well arranged hair, and pretty mosaic brooch, she entered upon a calculation respecting the portion of a woman’s mind which ought to be occupied with her dress—­ a mental process, the result of which might perhaps have proved of great benefit to herself, and ultimately to Dora and Winifred, had it not been suddenly cut short in the midst by a piercing scream from the latter young lady, who had been playing on the floor with Edward and Fido.

Mrs. Woodbourne instantly caught up the little girl in her arms, and sat down on the sofa with her on her lap, while Winifred buried her hand in her pocket-handkerchief, screaming and sobbing violently.  Fido slunk away under the sofa; and Elizabeth hastily made her way through the circle of ladies who surrounded Mrs. Woodbourne.

‘That is what comes of teazing him,’ said Mrs. Hazleby reproachfully to Edward; who answered in a loud voice, ’I am sure I did not make him do it.’

Elizabeth knelt down by Mrs. Woodbourne, and began to unroll the handkerchief in which Winifred had wound up her hand; but she was prevented by a fresh scream from the patient.

‘Oh! my dear, never mind, do not cry; come, be a brave woman,’ said poor Mrs. Woodbourne, her voice quivering with alarm.

‘Poor little dear!’ exclaimed Mrs. Dale, ’she bears it like a little angel; but it is quite a severe bite.’

‘Mamma,’ said Elizabeth, rising, ’I think she had better come up-stairs with me.  Do not you come, Mamma; I will send for you, if—­if it is more than a scratch.’

She took Winifred in her arms and carried her off, followed by Mrs. Dale, Miss Maynard, Harriet, Katherine, and Dora, the last-mentioned looking quite pale with fright.

‘If you please,’ said Elizabeth, turning round at the foot of the stairs, ‘I can manage her better alone.’

She gained her point, though at the expense of politeness.  Mrs. Dale and Miss Maynard retreated, and Harriet and Katherine followed in their train.  Dora looked inquiringly at her eldest sister.