Lewis's leaving
home. I would not be surprised to find him visiting Cora after a while."

"Where do they live, I wonder?" asked Fanny. "Laura will never let papa
know, if she can help it; and they might go to Kamschatka before we
Would discover it."

"Come, girls, go to your rooms," said Mr. Clavering, entering. "You talk
too much, and too lightly. Go to bed, and sleep if you can. It is more
than I have been able to do since you sent my poor boy from his father's
house."

The next morning at breakfast Laura seemed a little more amiable, and
began discussing plans for the summer excursions. Spring had set in, and
many were changing town homes for country ones.

"I vote for Dingleford," said Phillips, with a sudden burst of valor.

"You!" said his wife, with a look of scorn--"you!"

Mr. Phillips retired into himself, like Mr. Jenks of Pickwickian memory,
that being the only retirement _he_ was allowed; and Laura went on
without further notice.

"We will to Brooksford. The girls can come; for I will pay Clara's
expenses, and papa can easily do the rest. I heard the Martins, the
Hildreths, and the Fentons say they were going."

"Thank you for my share," said Margaret. "_I_ stay at home; your
fashionable friends are my aversion."

"You are so foolish, Maggie! You will never marry in the world."

"_Tant mieux_, I have no ambition to become _madame_. My tastes are very
simple, indeed. 'Liberty for me!' is my motto."

And it was arranged that Fanny and Clara should accompany Laura to
Brooksford to meet their friends, leaving Margaret and her father at
home to brave dust, heat, and musketoes as they could.

The old gentleman went to his counting-room to sit and think; Maggie
applied herself to some household occupation; Laura retired to her
chamber to fret like a peevish child; and Fanny and Clara prepared
themselves to go down to the front parlor to receive morning calls.

The bell rang, and the visits began. The consequence of each was easily
determined by the reception of the hostess, whose smiles were dispensed
more freely to some than to others. Mrs. Markham seemed determined to
outstay them all, and, being one of the "ultras," was encouraged to do
so. The dinner was once more discussed, as she had been one of the
invited, and Clara once more voted it a bore.

"I expected as much when I sent my refusal," said Mrs. Markham. "I hate
dinners; they are always dull and stupid. How can it be otherwise when
people