the further it
is sought, shrinks the deeper from sight.

Once, indeed, while she was sitting with her aunt and uncle, the latter
suddenly and rudely mentioned Cloudy's name, saying that "the fool" was
sulking over at Dell-Delight; that he believed he would have blown his
brains out if it had not been for Thurston, and for his own part, he
almost wished that he had been permitted to do so, because he thought
none but a fool would ever commit suicide, and the fewer fools there
were in the world the better, etc., etc. His monologue was suddenly
arrested by Henrietta's rushing forward to lift up Sans Souci, who had
turned very pale, and dropped from her seat to the floor, where she lay
silently quivering and gasping, like some poor wounded and dying bird.

They tacitly resolved, from this time forth, never to name Cloudy in her
presence again.

And the commodore struck his heavy stick upon the floor, and
emphatically thanked God that Nace Grimshaw had not been present to
witness her agitation and its cause.

And Jacquelina waned and waned. And the physicians, wearied out with her
case, prescribed "Change of air and scene--pleasant company--cheerful
amusement--excitement," etc. A winter in Washington was suggested. And
the little invalid was consulted as to her wishes upon the subject.
"Yes," Jacquelina said she would go--anywhere, if only her aunty and
Marian would go with her--she wanted Marian.

Mrs. Waugh readily consented to accompany her favorite, and also to try
to induce "Hebe," as she called blooming Marian, to make one of their
party.

And the very first day that the weather and the roads would admit of
traveling, Mrs. Waugh rode over to Old Fields to see Marian, and talk
with her about the contemplated journey.

The proposition took the young lady by surprise; there were several
little lets and hindrances to her immediate acceptance of the
invitation, which might, however, be disposed of; and finally, Marian
begged a day to consider about it. With this answer, Mrs. Waugh was
forced to be content, and she took her leave, saying:

"Remember, Hebe! that I think your society and conversation more
needful, and likely to be more beneficial to poor Lapwing, than anything
else we can procure for her; therefore, pray decide to go with us, if
possible."

Marian deprecated such reliance upon her imperfect abilities, but
expressed her strong desire to do all the good she possibly could effect
for the invalid, an