if I were I would not eat you. Tell me something,
can't you? Isn't there any gossip in this tiresome place?"

"Oh, Aunt Marcia, I cannot think of anything but our dear children,
Geoffrey and Vesta. We have just seen them off, you know. Indeed, I came
on purpose to tell you about their departure, but you seemed--Aunt
Marcia, they were sad at going, I truly think they were. It was here
they first met, and found their young happiness--the Lord preserve them
in it all their lives long!--there were tears in Little Vesta's eyes,
dear child! but still, they are going to their own home, and of course
they were full of joy too. Oh, Aunt Marcia, I must say, dear Geoffrey
looked like a prince as he handed his bride into the carriage."

"Was he in red velvet and feathers?" asked Mrs. Tree. "It wouldn't
surprise me in the least."

"Oh, no, dear Aunt Marcia! Nothing, I assure you, gaudy or striking, in
the very least. He wore the ordinary dress of a gentleman, not
conspicuous in any way. It was his air I meant, and the look of--of
pride and joy and youth--ah! it was very beautiful. Vesta was beautiful
too; you saw her travelling-dress, Aunt Marcia. Did you not think it
charming?"

"The child looked well enough," said Mrs. Tree. "Lord knows what sort of
wife she'll make, with her head stuffed full of all kinds of notions,
but she looks well, and she means well. I gave her my diamonds; did she
tell you that?"

Miss Vesta's smooth brow clouded. "Yes, Aunt Marcia, she told me, and
showed them to me. I had not seen them for years. They are very
beautiful. I--I confess--"

"Well, what's the matter?" demanded her aunt, sharply. "You didn't want
them yourself, did you?"

"Oh! surely not, dear Aunt Marcia. I was only thinking--Maria might
feel, with her two daughters, that there should have been some
division--"

"Vesta Blyth," said Mrs. Tree, slowly, "am I dead?"

"Dear Aunt Marcia! what a singular question!"

"Do I look as if I were going to die?"

"Surely not! I have rarely seen you looking more robust."

"Very well! When I _am_ dead, you may talk to me about Maria and her two
daughters; I sha'n't mind it then. What else have you got to say? I am
going to take my nap soon, so if you have anything more, out with it!"

Miss Vesta, after a hurried mental review of subjects that might be
soothing, made a snatch at one.

"Doctor Stedman came to see the children off. I think he is almost as
sorry to lose Geoffrey as we are. It