althy lawyer, and what is a little
remarkable for that craft (I speak from experience), to an unusual
degree of intelligence and polish of manners, he added many social and
_religious_ qualities. Many kind hearted mothers, who had on their
hands good-for-nothing daughters, wondered how he managed to live
without a wife, but he seemed to think it the easiest thing in nature,
for, since the death of his parents, his sister Susan had acted in the
capacity of his housekeeper.

I have an idea that grandmother, whose disposition was slightly spiced
with a love for match-making, bethought herself how admirably Mr.
Evelyn and Emma were suited for each other; for after his calls became
frequent I heard her many times slyly hint of the possibility of our
being able to keep Emma in town always. _She_ probably did not think
so; for each time after being teased, she repaired to her room and
read for the twentieth time some ominous-looking letters which she had
received since being with as.

It was now three weeks since she came, and each day she had gained in
health and strength. Twice had she walked to the woods, accompanied by
Mr. Evelyn, once to the schoolhouse, while every day she swung under
the old maple. About this time Agnes began to think of returning
home, so Juliet and Anna determined on a party in honor of her and
Emma. It was a bright summer afternoon; and for a wonder I was
suffered to remain from school, although I received numerous charges
to keep my tongue still, and was again reminded of that excellent old
proverb (the composition of some old maid, I know), "_Children_ should
be seen and not heard;" so, seated in a corner, my hand pressed
closely over my mouth, the better to guard against contingencies, I
looked on and thought, with ineffable satisfaction, how much handsomer
Cousin Emma was than any one else, although I could not help
acknowledging that Carrie never looked more beautiful than she did
that afternoon in a neatly-fitting white muslin, with a few rosebuds
nestling in her long, glossy curls.

Matters were going on swimmingly, and I had three times ventured a
remark, when Anna, who was sitting near the window, exclaimed, "Look
here, girls, did you ever see a finer-looking gentleman?" at the same
time calling their attention to a stranger in the street. Emma looked,
too, and the bright flush which suffused her cheek made me associate
the gentleman with the letters she had received, and I was not
surpr