money.

And now he felt rewarded when he saw her look of surprise, which he
mistook for a look of pleasure.

There was an Indian matting of bright light colors on the floor, white
lace curtains lined with rose-colored cambric at the windows, and a sofa
and easy-chairs covered with rose-colored French chintz. There were a
few marble-top stands, and tables covered with white crochet-work over
rose-colored linings. There were vases of fragrant flowers on the
mantle-shelf, and on the window-sills and stands, and every available
place.

In the center of the room stood a small table, covered with fine white
damask, decorated with a Sevres china set for two, and loaded with a
variety of choice delicacies--delicious cakes, jellies, fruits,
preserves and lemonade.

"This is a surprise," said Mary Grey, sinking into one of the tempting
easy-chairs.

"Oh, I am glad you like it as it is! But oh, indeed, I wish everything
here was more worthy of you! If it were in my power I would receive and
entertain you like a queen."

"You are so good--so thoughtful! And nothing in the world could be
pleasanter than this cool, pretty parlor," said Mary Grey, trying to
rouse herself from the abstraction into which she had fallen after her
first look of surprise at the decorated room; for, truth to tell, her
mind was occupied with graver thoughts than appertained to house or
furniture, flowers or fruits.

"And this has been ready for you, my queen, ever since sunset. And here
I have sat and waited for you, running out every five minutes to see if
you were coming," he said, half reproachfully.

"Well, I am here at last, you impatient boy! I could not come before. I
was sitting with a sick friend and could not leave her until she went to
sleep," smiled the siren.

"I shall end in being very wickedly jealous of your sick friends, and
your poor friends, and your lame friends, and all the other forlornities
that take you away from me, and keep you away from me so much," he
sighed.

"Ah, but when we are married I shall give up this sort of life! For I
know that 'charity begins at home;' and though it ought not always to
stay there, yet should it stay there the principal part of its time,"
smiled the witch.

"Ah, I am so glad to hear you say so, dearest dear! You _will_ stay at
home for me most of your time then?"

"It will be my delight to do so!"

He caught her hand and kissed it ardently, and drew her slightly toward
him, looking at