n't have married her, if she'd been stuck all over with
diamonds."

"I fancy she drove him," said Mrs Eleanor with a smile.

"Like enough, poor soul!" responded Mrs Jane. "Only chance he had of
any peace. He was a decent fellow enough, too,--if only he had kept
clear of Nancy."

"What made him marry her?" thoughtfully asked Mrs Eleanor.

"Deary me!" exclaimed Mrs Jane. "When did you ever see a man that
could fathom a woman? Good, simple soul that he was!--she made him
think black was white with holding up a finger. She glistened bravely,
and he thought she was gold. Well!--_we_ shan't have much peace now,--
take my word for it. Eh, this world!--'tis a queer place as ever I
saw."

"True, my dear," replied Mrs Dorothy: "let us therefore be thankful
there is a better."

But her opinion of Mrs Latrobe was not given.

The same evening, as Phoebe sat in the parlour with her mother, Betty
came in with a courtesy.

"Mr Marcus Welles, to speak with Madam."

"With Mrs Rhoda?" asked Phoebe, rising. "I will go seek her."

"No, if you please, Mrs Phoebe: Mr Welles said, Madam or yourself."

"Phoebe, my dear, do not be such a fid-fad!" entreated Mrs Latrobe.
"If Rhoda is wanted, she can be sought.--Good evening, Sir! I am truly
delighted to have the pleasure of seeing you, and I trust we shall be
better acquainted."

Mr Welles bowed low over Mrs Latrobe's extended hand.

"Madam, the delight is mine, and the honour. Mrs Phoebe, your
servant,--your most humble servant."

It was the first time that Mr Welles had ever addressed Phoebe with
more than a careless "good evening."

"Ready to serve you, Sir," said she, courtesying. "Shall I seek my
cousin? She has wanted your company, I think."

This was a very audacious speech for Phoebe: but she thought it so
extraordinary that Mr Welles had not paid one visit to his betrothed
since the funeral, that she took the liberty of reminding him of it.

"Madam," said Mr Welles, with a complacent smile, toying with his gold
chatelaine, "I really could not have visited you sooner, under the
circumstances in which I found myself."

"Phoebe! have you lost your senses?" inquired Mrs Latrobe, sharply.

"I am sure," resumed Mr Marcus Welles, with an extremely graceful wave
of his hand towards Mrs Latrobe, "that Madam will fully enter into my
much lacerated feelings, and see how very distressing 'twould have been
both to myself and her, had I forced my company on Mrs Rhod