yet, ma'am."

Fortunate prophecy! Martha went to live as servant with Governor
Wentworth at his mansion at Little Harbor, looking out to sea. Seven
years passed, and the "thin slip of a girl," who promised to be no great
beauty, had flowered into the loveliest of women, with a lip like a
cherry and a cheek like a tea-rose--a lady by instinct, one of Nature's
own ladies. The governor, a lonely widower, and not too young, fell in
love with his fair handmaid. Without stating his purpose to any one,
Governor Wentworth invited a number of friends (among others the Rev.
Arthur Brown) to dine with him at Little Harbor on his birthday. After
the dinner, which was a very elaborate one, was at an end, and the
guests were discussing their tobacco-pipes, Martha Hilton glided into
the room, and stood blushing in front of the chimney-place. She was
exquisitely dressed, as you may conceive, and wore her hair three
stories high. The guests stared at each other, and particularly at her,
and wondered. Then the governor, rising from his seat,

"Played slightly with his ruffles, then looked down,
And said unto the Reverend Arthur Brown:
'This is my birthday; it shall likewise be
My wedding-day; and you shall marry me!'"

The rector was dumfounded, knowing the humble footing Martha had held
in the house, and could think of nothing cleverer to say than, "To whom,
your excellency?" which was not cleaver at all.

"To this lady," replied the governor, taking Martha Hilton by the
hand. The Rev. Arthur Brown hesitated. "As the Chief Magistrate of New
Hampshire I command you to marry me!" cried the choleric old governor.

And so it was done; and the pretty kitchen-maid became Lady Wentworth,
and did ride in her own chariot. She would not have been a woman if she
had not taken an early opportunity to drive by Staver's hotel!

Lady Wentworth had a keen appreciation of the dignity of her new
station, and became a grand lady at once. A few days after her marriage,
dropping her ring on the floor, she languidly ordered her servant to
pick it up. The servant, who appears to have had a fair sense of humor,
grew suddenly near-sighted, and was unable to the ring until Lady
Wentworth stooped and placed her ladyship's finger upon it. She turned
out a faultless wife, however; and Governor Wentworth at his death,
which occurred in 1770, signified his approval of her by leaving her his
entire estate. She married again without changing