These doings were all under my especial direction, and I thus became speedily the organ of the Dalrymple family; and the simple phrase, "It was Mr.
O'Malley's arrangement," "Mr.O'Malley wished it," was like the _Moi le roi_ of Louis XIV.
Though all this while we continued to carry on most pleasantly, Mrs.
Dalrymple, I could perceive, did not entirely sympathize with our projects of amusement.

As an experienced engineer might feel when watching the course of some storming projectile--some brilliant congreve--flying over a besieged fortress, yet never touching the walls nor harming the inhabitants, so she looked on at all these demonstrations of attack with no small impatience, and wondered when would the breach be reported practicable.

Another puzzle also contributed its share of anxiety,--which of the girls was it?
To be sure, he spent three hours every morning with Fanny; but then, he never left Matilda the whole evening.

He had given his miniature to one; a locket with his hair was a present to the sister.
The major thinks he saw his arm round Matilda's waist in the garden; the housemaid swears she saw him kiss Fanny in the pantry.

Matilda smiles when we talk of his name with her sister's; Fanny laughs outright, and says, "Poor Matilda! the man never dreamed of her." This is becoming uncomfortable.