ndeed, could the poor man know about
the proprieties, as set forth by Miss Johns, that he should presume to
argue against them? What, indeed, can any man do, when a woman bases
herself on the "proprieties"?

It was summer weather, and the windows of the hospitable Elderkin
mansion were wide open. As the Doctor and spinster drew near, little
gusts of cheery music came out to greet their ears. For, at this time,
Miss Almira had her rival pianos about the village; and the pretty Rose
had been taught a deft way of touching the "first-class" instrument,
which the kind-hearted Squire had bestowed upon her. And, if it must be
told, little sparkling waltzes had from time to time waked the parlor
solitude, and the kind Mistress Elderkin had winked at little furtive
parlor-dances on the part of Rose and Adele,--they had so charmed the
old Squire, and set all his blood (as he said, with a gallant kiss upon
the brow of Mrs. Elderkin) flowing in the old school-boy currents. Now
it happened upon this very evening, that the Squire, though past seventy
now, was in the humor to see a good old-fashioned frolic, and, Rose
rattling off some crazy waltz, Phil, at a hint from the old gentleman,
had taken possession of Adele, and was showing off with a good deal of
grace, and more spirit, the dancing-steps of which he had had experience
with the Spanish senoritas.

Dame Tourtelot, who chanced to be present, wore a long face, which (it
is conceivable) the hearty old Squire enjoyed as much as the dancing.
But Mrs. Elderkin must have looked with a warm maternal pride upon the
fine athletic figure of her boy, as he went twirling down the floor,
with that graceful figure of Adele.

Upon the very midst of it, however, the Doctor and Miss Johns came like
a cloud. The fingers of Rose rested idly on the keys. Adele, who was gay
beyond her wont, alone of all the company could not give over her
light-heartedness on the instant: so she makes away to greet the
Doctor,--Miss Johns standing horrified.

"New Papa, you have surprised us. Phil was showing me some new steps. Do
you think it very, very wrong?"

"Adaly! Adaly!"

"Ah, you dear old man, it isn't wrong;--say it isn't wrong."

By this time the Squire has come forward.

"Ah, Doctor, young folks will be young folks; but I think you won't have
a quarrel with Mrs. Elderkin yonder. My dear," (addressing Mrs.
Elderkin,) "you must set this matter right with the Doctor. We must keep
our young peopl