 while just as it is.
Sometimes I am quite frightened lest Stephen should say that he has spoken to
papa; and from something that fell from papa the other day, I feel sure he and
Mr. Guest are expecting that. And Stephen's sisters are very civil to me now. At
first, I think they didn't like his paying me attention; and that was natural.
It does seem out of keeping that I should ever live in a great place like the
Park House - such a little insignificant thing as I am.«
    »But people are not expected to be large in proportion to the houses they
live in, like snails,« said Maggie, laughing. »Pray, are Mr. Guest's sisters
giantesses?«
    »O no; and not handsome - that is, not very,« said Lucy, half-penitent at
this uncharitable remark.
    »But he is - at least he is generally considered very handsome.«
    »Though you are unable to share that opinion?«
    »O, I don't know,« said Lucy, blushing pink over brow and neck. »It is a bad
plan to raise expectation; you will perhaps be disappointed. But I have prepared
a charming surprise for him; I shall have a glorious laugh against him. I shall
not tell you what it is, though.«
    Lucy rose from her knees and went to a little distance, holding her pretty
head on one side, as if she had been arranging Maggie for a portrait, and wished
to judge of the general effect.
    »Stand up a moment, Maggie.«
    »What is your pleasure now?« said Maggie, smiling languidly as she rose from
her chair and looked down on her slight, aërial cousin, whose figure was quite
subordinate to her faultless drapery of silk and crape.
    Lucy kept her contemplative attitude a moment or two in silence, and then
said -
    »I can't think what witchery it is in you, Maggie, that makes you look best
in shabby clothes; though you really must have a new dress now. But do you know,
last night I was trying to fancy you in a handsome fashionable dress, and do
what I would, that old limp merino would come back as the only right thing for
you. I wonder if Marie Antoinette looked all the grander when her gown was
darned at the elbows. Now, if I were to put anything shabby on, I should be
quite unnoticeable - I should be a mere rag.«
    »O, quite,« said Maggie,
