76 THE COUSINS,

they so connected her with the disagreeable
events of the day that they parted from her very
coldly, and without inviting her to return their
visit. Neither did Mrs. Lovett ask to sce them
again, and Lucy felt that her intercourse with
them was at an end. You will think that she
had no great reason to regret that, and yet Lucy
did regret it ; for so silly had her vanity and love
of admiration made her, that she thought she de-
rived some credit from being the friend of a girl
who was so rich as Miss Noel, and was always
dressed so handsomely, and who could go to fancy
balls and wear lace frocks.

“And for such a disagreeable, ill-bred girl as
that, Lucy, you could treat your cousin un-
kindly,” said Mrs. Lovett, sorrowfully, as the
door was closed on the visitors.

Lucy had endured many disappointments during
this day, and her spirits were so depressed, that,
when she attempted to answer her mother, she
burst into tears, and sobbed out, ‘I didn’t do any-
thing to Cousin Mary, mamma; I only laughed a
little at what Tom Noel said; and Cousin Mary
did say a great many strange words.”