k you had so much of the minister
about you."

"It is a great pity, Miss Margaret, that interest in religion should be
considered a minister's exclusive privilege. But I hope I have not said
any thing wounding. It was far from my intention. I am a sad blunderer,
however, as Gabriella knows full well."

I was charmed with my straightforward, simple, and excellent teacher. I
had never seen him appear to such advantage. He had on an entirely new
suit of the finest black broadcloth, that fitted him quite _a la mode_;
a vest of the most dazzling whiteness; and his thick black hair had
evidently been under the smoothing hands of a fashionable barber. His
head seemed much reduced in size; while his massy, intellectual forehead
displayed a bolder sweep of outline, relieved of the shadows that
obscured its phrenological beauty.

He had seen Mrs. Linwood and Edith in Boston. They were both well, and
looking anxiously forward to the summer reunion at Grandison Place. Dr.
Harlowe sent me many characteristic messages,--telling me my little
rocking-chair was waiting for me at my favorite window, and that he had
not learned to rub his shoes on the mat, or to hang up his hat yet.

"Does he call me the wild-cat, still?" asked Madge.

"I believe so. He told me to say that he had his house repaired, so that
you could visit him without endangering Mrs. Harlowe's china."

"The monster! Well, he shall give me a new name, when I see him again.
But tell me, Mr. Regulus, who is the very dignified and excellent
gentleman whom mamma says is coming to escort me home? I have been
expiring with curiosity to know."

"I do not know of any one answering to that description, Miss Margaret,"
replied Mr. Regulus, blushing, and passing his hands over his knees. "I
saw your mother at Mrs. Linwood's; and when she learned I was coming to
this city, she said she would be very much obliged to me, if I would
take charge of you, on my return."

"Then you did not come on purpose for me, Mr. Regulus," said Madge, with
a saucy smile.

"Oh no,--I had business, and a very earnest desire to see my young
friend, Gabriella. If I can, however, combine the useful with the
agreeable, I shall be very well pleased."

"By the useful, you mean, seeing me safe in my mamma's arms," said
Madge, demurely.

"Certainly, Miss Margaret."

Even Ernest laughed at this peculiar compliment; and Madge bit her lips,
half in vexation, half in merriment. I hardly knew what to th