ry well. If it's your business, why did you come to me with it? Why
didn't you settle it before you left the precious lady, who is so much
worthier your consideration than your wife? Now go, and tell her that it
is your will that she shall receive with me, and that I tamely submit."

"I shall tell her nothing of the kind."

"You can say no less, if you tell her the truth."

"My dear, you are angry. Let's not talk about it any more to-night. You
will feel differently about it in the morning."

Of course, Mrs. Belcher went to bed in tears, cried over it until she
went to sleep, and woke in the morning submissive, and quietly
determined to yield to her husband's wishes. Of course, Mr. Belcher was
not late in informing Mrs. Dillingham that his wife would be most happy
to accept her proposition. Of course, Mrs. Dillingham lost no time in
sending her card to all the gentlemen she had ever met, with the
indorsement, "Receives on New Year's with Mrs. Col. Belcher, ---- Fifth
Avenue." Of course, too, after the task was accomplished, she called on
Mrs. Belcher to express her gratitude for the courtesy, and to make
suggestions about the entertainment. Was it quite of course that Mrs.
Belcher, in the presence of this facile woman, overflowing with kind
feeling, courteous deference, pleasant sentiment and sparkling
conversation, should feel half ashamed of herself, and wonder how one so
good and bright and sweet could so have moved her to anger?

The day came at last, and at ten Mrs. Dillingham entered the grand
drawing-room in her queenly appareling. She applauded Mrs. Belcher's
appearance, she kissed the children, all of whom thought her the
loveliest lady they had ever seen, and in an aside to Mr. Belcher
cautioned him against partaking too bountifully of the wines he had
provided for his guests. "Let us have a nice thing of it," she said,
"and nothing to be sorry for."

Mr. Belcher was faithfully in her leading. It would have been no
self-denial for him to abstain entirely for her sake. He would do
anything she wished.

There was one thing noticeable in her treatment of the lads of the
family, and in their loyalty to her. She could win a boy's heart with a
touch of her hand, a smile and a kiss. They clung to her whenever in
her presence. They hung charmed upon all her words. They were happy to
do anything she desired; and as children see through shams more quickly
than their elders, it could not be doubted that she had a