gers, set the little piece on the stage in good condition, were
carrying on a private undertoned conversation, which resulted in Mrs.
Manlius asking, in an engaging manner,--

"Eunice, dear, would you prefer to stay at home this evening with your
nephew? Because we will excuse you to Miss Pix, who would hardly expect
you."

Mrs. Starkey was in the midst of a voluble description of some private
jewelry which she intended to show the astonished Nicholas; but she
caught the last words, and veered round to Mrs. Manlius, saying,--

"Indeed, she expects me; and she expects Nicholas, too. She will be very
much gratified to see him, and I have no doubt she will give another
party for him; and if she does, I mean to invite my friend the alderman
to go. I shouldn't wonder if he was to be there to-night; and now I
think of it, it must be time to be going. Caroline, have you got your
things on?"

Mrs. Starkey spoke with a determination that suffered no opposition, so
that Nicholas and Mr. Manlius were left alone for a moment, while the
two women should wrap themselves up.

"Your aunt is unduly excited, Mr. Judge," said the intelligence-officer;
"and it was for that reason that I advised she should not go. She has
hardly been herself the last day or two. Our neighbor, Miss Pix,--a
woman whose character is somewhat unsettled; no fixed principles. Sir, I
fear," shaking his head regretfully; "too erratic, controlled by
impulse, possessing an inquisitive temperament," telling off upon a
separate finger each count in the charges against Miss Pix's character,
and reserving for the thumb the final overwhelming accusation,--"Sir,
she has not learned the great French economical principle of Lassy
Fair." Miss Pix being thus stricken down, he helped her up again with an
apology. "But her advantages have no doubt been few. She has not studied
political economy; and how can she hope to walk unerringly?"--and Mr.
Manlius gazed at an imaginary Miss Pix wandering without compass or
guide over the desert of life. "She makes a party to-night. And why?
Because it is Christmas-eve. That is a small foundation, Mr. Judge, on
which to erect the structure of social intercourse. Society, Sir, should
be founded on principles, not accidents. Because my house is
accidentally contiguous to two others, shall I consider myself, and
shall Mrs. Manlius consider herself, as necessarily bound by the
ligaments of Nature--by the ligaments of Nature, Mr. Judge,--to