I do dislike stiffness and conventionality excessively.

I hope you mean to be friends with us, Miss Garston, for I have taken rather a fancy to you, in spite of your grave looks.

Dear me! do you always look so grave ?' 'Oh no,' I returned, laughing.
'That is right,' with an approving nod; 'you look ever so much nicer and younger when you smile.

Well, what did the prime minister say?
Was she very gushing and sympathetic?
Did she patronise you in a ladylike way, and pat you on the head metaphorically, until you felt ready to box her ears?
Ah! I know _la belle cousine's_ little ways.' This was so exact a description of my conversation with Miss Darrell that I laughed in a rather guilty fashion.

Lady Betty clapped her hands delightfully.
'Oh, I have found you out.