were there. They had a gay time and a nice supper.

"I think Ed is smitten with Cynthia Leverett," Laura remarked to her
husband. "He seemed to feel annoyed that they had sent Miss Winn in the
carriage for her. She's a lovely dancer."

"It wouldn't be a bad thing for Ed. She has lots of money that just
turns itself over on interest. And her trustee has been buying up some
choice Boston property for her. She's pretty and has charming manners
and comes of a good family."

Then Mrs. Stevens asked her to come in to Boston for a few days. She was
going to have a little dancing party.

"My dear, you'll dance yourself to death," said Cousin Eunice.

"Oh, no. It isn't as hard as cleaning house or washing, as some of the
poor women do. And it is tiresome to practise on the spinet, hour after
hour--counting time and all that. If I was a girl of twenty years ago
I'm afraid I should be chasing up and down some old garret, spinning on
the big wheel."

Cousin Eunice laughed, too. Cynthia always made commonplaces seem
amusing, she accented them so with her bright face.

They were very glad to have her in Boston. Chilian took her in on
Saturday and staid with her until Monday morning. On Sunday Anthony
Drayton was invited in to dinner. He had improved very much. The country
air had been effaced. And he was a gentleman by instinct, and acquired
cultivation readily.

"And a fine fellow!" said Cousin Giles, rubbing his hands. "He's decided
to go in for law presently, and it will be a most excellent thing. I
don't know but I'll have to adopt him, as you did Cynthia."

Anthony hovered about the young girl. She had been cultivating her voice
the last year. It was a sweet parlor voice, adapted to the old-time
songs. Mrs. Stevens had a book of them and she sang most cheerfully.

"Oh, I wish you were going to stay over another Sunday," he exclaimed
wistfully. "But I shall come in on Tuesday evening. I don't dance, but
Mrs. Stevens is so kind to me, I've met several of the first men in the
city here."

"Oh, I am glad you are coming."

It was a very sincere joy and she could not keep it out of her face, did
not try to. And it was such a sweet face that she raised to his. He had
a sudden unreasonable wish that he was five years older and settled in
business, but then--she was very young.

Mrs. Stevens said to her on Monday, after she had read a note over and
glanced up at her rather furtively, "There's a friend of yours coming
Tues