er than I do. What do you say?
Five-and-twenty?"

The young ladies giggled.

Then Mr. Coventry came out strong. He was mortified, he was jealous; he
saw a formidable enemy had entered the field, and had just outwitted and
out-maneuvered him. So what does he do but step up to her, and say to
her, with the most respectful grace, "May I be permitted to welcome you
back to this part of the world? I am afraid I can not exactly claim your
acquaintance; but I have often heard my father speak of you with the
highest admiration. My name is Coventry."

"Mr. Coventry, of Bollinghope?" (He bowed.) "Yes; I had the pleasure of
knowing your mother in former days."

"You, have deserted us too long."

"I do not flatter myself I have been missed."

"Is anybody ever missed, Mrs. Little? Believe me, few persons are
welcomed back so cordially as you are."

"That is very flattering, Mr. Coventry. It is for my son's sake I have
returned to society."

"No doubt; but you will remain there for your own. Society is your
place. You are at home in it, and were born to shine in it."

"What makes you think that, pray?" and the widow's cheek flushed a
little.

"Oh, Mrs. Little, I have seen something of the world. Count me amongst
your most respectful admirers. It is a sentiment I have a right to,
since I inherit it."

"Well, Mr. Coventry, then I give you leave to admire me--if you can.
Ah, here they come. Two minutes! I am afraid it was neither gossip nor
flirtation, but only botany."

Grace and Henry came back, looking very radiant.

"What do you think?" said Grace, "I never was more surprised in my life,
there really is a cactus, and a night cereus into the bargain. Mrs.
Little, behold a penitent. I bring you my apology, and a jardenia."

"Oh, how sweet! Never mind the apology. Quarrel with me often, and bring
me a jardenia. I'll always make it up on those terms."

"Miss White," said Grace, pompously, "I shall require a few dozen
cuttings from your tree, please tell the gardener. Arrangements are
such, I shall have to grow jardenias on a scale hitherto unprecedented."

There was a laugh, and, in the middle of it, a servant announced Miss
Carden's carriage.

"What attentive servants you have, Miss White. I requested that man to
be on the watch, and, if I said a good thing, to announce my carriage
directly; and he did it pat. Now see what an effective exit that gives
me. Good-by, Miss White, good-by, Mrs. Little; may you all disa