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England.’’
    â€˜â€˜In that case she would probably have telegraphed to you.’’
    â€˜â€˜She never telegraphs when you would expect it— only when you don’t,’’ said the old man. ‘‘She likes to drop on me suddenly; she thinks she will find me doing something wrong. She has never done so yet, but she is not discouraged.’’
    â€˜â€˜It’s her independence,’’ her son explained, more favourably. ‘‘Whatever that of those young ladies may be, her own is a match for it. She likes to do everything for herself, and has no belief in any one’s power to help her. She thinks me of no more use than a postage stamp without gum, and she would never forgive me if I should presume to go to Liverpool to meet her.’’
    â€˜â€˜Will you at least let me know when your cousin arrives?’’ Lord Warburton asked.
    â€˜â€˜Only on the condition I have mentioned—that you don’t fall in love with her!’’ Mr. Touchett declared.
    â€˜â€˜That strikes me as hard. Don’t you think me good enough?’’
    â€˜â€˜I think you too good—because I shouldn’t like her to marry you. She hasn’t come here to look for a husband, I hope; so many young ladies are doing that, as if there were no good ones at home. Then she is probably engaged; American girls are usually engaged, I believe. Moreover, I am not sure, after all, that you would be a good husband.’’
    â€˜â€˜Very likely she is engaged; I have known a good many American girls, and they always were; but I could never see that it made any difference, upon my word! As for my being a good husband, I am not sure of that either; one can but try!’’
    â€˜â€˜Try as much as you please, but don’t try on my niece,’’ said the old man, whose opposition to the idea was broadly humorous.
    â€˜â€˜Ah, well,’’ said Lord Warburton, with a humour broader still, ‘‘perhaps, after all, she is not worth trying on!’’

2
    WHILE this exchange of pleasantries took place between the two, Ralph Touchett wandered away a little, with his usual slouching gait, his hands in his pockets, and his little rowdyish terrier at his heels. His face was turned towards the house, but his eyes were bent, musingly, upon the lawn; so that he had been an object of observation to a person who had just made her appearance in the doorway of the dwelling for some moments before he perceived her. His attention was called to her by the conduct of his dog, who had suddenly darted forward, with a little volley of shrill barks, in which the note of welcome, however, was more sensible than that of defiance. The person in question was a young lady, who seemed immediately to interpret the greeting of the little terrier. He advanced with great rapidity, and stood at her feet, looking up and barking hard; whereupon, without hesitation, she stooped and caught him in her hands, holding him face to face while he continued his joyous demonstration. His master now had had time to follow and to see that Bunchie’s new friend was a tall girl in a black dress, who at first sight looked pretty. She was bare-headed, as if she were staying in the house—a fact which conveyed perplexity to the son of its master, conscious of that immunity from visitors which had for some time been rendered necessary by the latter’s ill health. Meantime the two other gentlemen had also taken note of the new-comer.
    â€˜â€˜Dear me, who is that strange woman?’’ Mr. Touchett had asked.
    â€˜â€˜Perhaps it is Mrs. Touchett’s niece—the independent young lady,’’ Lord Warburton suggested. ‘‘I think she must be, from the way she handles the dog.’’
    The collie, too, had now allowed his attention to be diverted, and he trotted toward the young lady in the doorway, slowly setting his tail in motion