`My Louisa knows,' observed Miss Tox, `that between friends like ourselves, any approach to ceremony would be out of the question. Therefore--' Therefore Miss Tox finished the sentence, not in words but action; and putting on her gloves again, which she had taken off, and arming herself once more with her scissors, began to snip and clip among the leaves with microscopic industry.

`Florence has returned home also,' said Mrs. Chick, after sitting silent for some time, with her head on one side, and her parasol sketching on the floor; `and really Florence is a great deal too old now, to continue to lead that solitary life to which she has been accustomed. Of course she is. There can be no doubt about it. I should have very little respect, indeed, for anybody who could advocate a different opinion. Whatever my wishes might be, I could not respect them. We cannot command our feelings to such an extent as that.'

Miss Tox assented, without being particular as to the intelligibility of the proposition.

`If she's a strange girl,' said Mrs. Chick, `and if my brother Paul cannot feel perfectly comfortable in her society, after all the sad things that have happened, and all the terrible disappointments that have been undergone, then, what is the reply? That he must make an effort. That he is bound to make an effort. We have always been a family remarkable for effort. Paul is at the head of the family; almost the only representative of it left--for what am I--I am of no consequence--'

`My dearest love,' remonstrated Miss Tox.

Mrs. Chick dried her eyes, which were, for the moment, overflowing; and proceeded:

`And consequently he is more than ever bound to make an effort. And though his having done so, comes upon me with a sort of shock--for mine is a very weak and foolish nature; which is anything but a blessing I am sure; I often wish my heart was a marble slab, or a paving-stone--'

`My sweet Louisa,' remonstrated Miss Tox again.

`Still, it is a triumph to me to know that he is so true to himself, and to his name of Dombey; although, of course, I always knew he would be. I only hope,' said Mrs. Chick, after a pause, `that she may be worthy of the name too.'

Miss Tox filled a little green watering-pot from a jug, and happening to look up when she had done so, was so surprised by the amount of expression Mrs. Chick had conveyed into her face, and was bestowing upon her, that she put the little watering-pot on the table for the present, and sat down near it.

`My dear Louisa,' said Miss Tox, `will it be the least satisfaction to you, if I venture to observe in reference to that remark, that I, as a humble individual, think your sweet niece in every way most promising?'

`What do you mean, Lucretia?' returned Mrs. Chick, with increased stateliness of manner. `To what remark of mine, my dear, do you refer?'

`Her being worthy of her name, my love.' replied Miss Tox.

`If,' said Mrs. Chick, with solemn patience, `I have not expressed myself with clearness, Lucretia, the fault of course is mine. There is, perhaps, no reason why I should express myself at all, except the intimacy that has subsisted between us, and which I very much hope, Lucretia--confidently hope--nothing will occur to disturb. Because, why should I do anything else? There is no reason; it would be absurd. But I wish to express myself clearly, Lucretia; and therefore to go back to that remark, I must beg to say that it was not intended to relate to Florence, in any way.'

`Indeed!' returned Miss Tox.

`No,' said Mrs. Chick shortly and decisively.