“I don’t care whether I am a Minx, or a Sphinx,” returned Lavinia, coolly, tossing her head; “it’s exactly the same thing to me, and I’d every bit as soon be one as the other; but I know this⁠—I’ll not grow after I’m married!”

“You will not? You will not?” repeated Mrs. Wilfer, solemnly.

“No, Ma, I will not. Nothing shall induce me.”

Mrs. Wilfer, having waved her gloves, became loftily pathetic.

“But it was to be expected;” thus she spake. “A child of mine deserts me for the proud and prosperous, and another child of mine despises me. It is quite fitting.”