h silver (ladies rode at this time dressed
exactly like gentlemen, with the addition of a long skirt); and an
evening dress of cinnamon-colour, brocaded with large green leaves and
silver stems, with a white and gold petticoat under it--were the chief
items of Rhoda's wardrobe. A new set of body-linen was also added, made
of striped muslin. Since our fair ancestresses made their night-dresses
of "muslin," it would appear that they extended the term to some stouter
material than the thin and flimsy manufacture to which we restrict it.
Rhoda's boots were of white kid, goloshed with black velvet. There were
also "jessamy" gloves--namely, kid gloves perfumed with jessamine; a
black velvet mask; a superb painted fan; a box of patches, another of
violet powder, another of rouge, and a fourth of pomatum; one of the
India scarves before alluded to; a stomacher set with garnet, a pearl
necklace, and a silver box full of cachou and can-away comfits, to be
taken to church for amusement during long sermons. The enamelled
picture on the lid Rhoda would have done well to lay to heart, as it
represented Cupid fishing for human beings, with a golden guinea on his
hook. Rhoda was determined to be the finest dressed girl at Delawarr
Court, and Madam had allowed her to order very much what she pleased.
Phoebe's quiet mourning, new though it was, looked very mean in
comparison--in her cousin's eyes.

No definite time was fixed for Rhoda's return home. She was to stay as
long as Lady Delawarr wished to keep her.

"Phoebe, my dear!" said Madam.

"Madam?" responded Phoebe, with a courtesy.

"Come into my chamber; I would have a few words with you."

Phoebe followed, her heart feeling as if it would jump into her mouth.
Madam shut the door, and took her seat on the cushioned settle which
stretched along the foot of her bed.

"Child," she said to Phoebe, who stood modestly before her, "I think
myself obliged to tell you that I expect Rhoda to settle in life on the
occasion of this visit. I apprehend that she will meet with divers
young gentlemen, with any of whom she might make a good match; and she
can then make selection of him that will be most agreeable to her."

Phoebe privately wondered how the gentleman whom Rhoda selected was to
be induced to select Rhoda.

"Then," pursued Madam, "when she returns, she will tell me her design;
and if on seeing the young man, and making inquiries of such as are
acquainted with him, I appr