d squeezed into two elegant goblets, upon
square lumps of sugar that eagerly took up the keen acid, and grew
yellow and spongy in consequence. A sociable little round table was
rolled out of its seclusion in a corner, and made to support a tray
between us, whereon were such dainty cakes and confections as my hostess
delighted in.

There was an air of substantial comfort in all the arrangements of my
friend's house that made it a peculiarly pleasant one to visit. It
lacked nothing to make it home-like, restful, attractive. The house
itself was large and airy, with charming views; the furniture
sufficiently elegant without being too fine for use; flowers, birds, and
all manner of _curios_ abounded, yet were never in the way, as they so
often are in the houses of people who are fond of pretty and curious
things, but have no really refined taste to arrange them. Our little
ten-o'clock lunch was perfect in its appointments--a "thing of beauty,"
as it was of palatableness and refreshment. So strongly was I impressed
at the moment with this talent of Mrs. Greyfield's, that I could not
refrain from speaking of it, as we sat sipping hot and spicy lemonade
from those exquisite cut-glass goblets of her choosing, and tasting
dainties served on the loveliest china: "Yes, I suppose it is a gift of
God, the same as a taste for the high arts is an endowment from the same
source. Did it never strike you as being absurd, that men should expect,
and as far as they can, require all women to be good housekeepers? They
might as well expect every mechanic to carve in wood or chisel marble
into forms of life. But it is my one available talent, and has stood me
in good stead, though I have no doubt it was one chief cause of my
trouble, by attracting Mr. Seabrook."

"You must know," I said, "that I am tortured with curiosity to hear
about that person. Will you not now begin?"

"Let me see--where did I leave off? I was telling you that although I
had so many suitors, of so many classes, and none of them desirable, to
my way of thinking, I was really gradually being influenced to marry.
You must know that a woman so young and so alone in the world, and who
had to labor for her bread, and her child's bread, could not escape the
solicitations of men who did not care to marry; and it was this class
who gave me more uneasiness than all the presuming ignorant ones, who
would honor me by making me a wife. I know it is constantly asserted,
by men them