site to him and in
the eye which was somewhat carelessly running over the columns
of a newspaper. Glass in hand Mr. Haye rose, and the next
instant Winthrop felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Mr. Landholm -- isn't it? I thought so. Why, I've been on the
point of coming to look after you this last fortnight past,
Mr. Landholm, but business held me so tight by the button --
I'm very glad to meet you -- Will you join me? --"

"Thank you, sir -- I must not; for business holds me by the
hand at this moment."

"A glass of wine?"

"Thank you sir, again."

"You will not?"

"No, sir. I have no acquaintance in that quarter, and do not
wish to be introduced."

"But my dear Mr. Landholm! -- are you serious?"

"Always, sir."

"Most extraordinary! -- But can't you be persuaded? I think you
are wrong."

"I must abide the consequences, I am afraid."

"Well, stay! -- Will you come to my house to-night and let me
give you some other introductions?"

"I cannot refuse that, sir."

"Then come up to tea. How's your father? --"

So Winthrop was in for it, and went about his afternoon
business with the feeling that none would be done in the
evening. Which did not make him more diligent, because it
could not.

Mr. Haye's house was near the lower end of the Parade, and one
of the best in the city. It was a very handsome room in which
Winthrop found the family; as luxuriously fitted up as the
fashion of those times permitted; and the little group
gathered there did certainly look as if all the business of
the world was done without them, and a good part of it _for_
them; so undoubtedly easy and comfortable was the flow of
their laces and the sweep of their silk gowns; so questionless
of toil or endurance was the position of each little figure
upon soft cushions, and the play of pretty fingers with
delicate do-nothing bobbins and thread. Rose was literally
playing with hers, for the true business of the hour seemed to
be a gentleman who sat at her feet on an ottoman, and who was
introduced to Winthrop as Mr. Satterthwaite. Elizabeth
according to her fashion sat a little apart and seemed to be
earnestly intent upon some sort of fine net manufacture. They
three were all.

Winthrop's reception was after the former manner; from Rose
extremely and sweetly free and cordial; from Elizabeth grave
and matter-of-fact. She went back to her net-work; and Rose
presently found Mr. Satterthwaite very interesting again, and
went back to hi