wedding feast. How much better it would
have been to have had the golden ring and fatted calf of welcome, than
this plain, every-day meal."

"Your every-day meals are better than usual wedding feasts," replied
Margaret, "and I do not see why one should eat more on such an occasion
than any other. You know _I_ care nothing for the good things of this
life, though Mr. Regulus may be disappointed."

"Indeed, you are mistaken," said Mr. Regulus, blushing. "I think so
little of what I eat and drink, I can hardly tell the difference between
tea and coffee."

This was literally true, and many a trick had been played upon him at
his boarding place while seated at his meals, with an open book at the
left side of his plate, and his whole mind engaged in its contents.

"Mrs. Regulus," said Dr. Harlowe, giving due accent to her new name,
"is, as everyone must perceive, one of those ethereal beings who care
for nothing more substantial than beefsteak, plum-pudding, and
mince-pie. Perhaps an airy slice of roast turkey might also tempt her
abstemiousness!"

"Take care, Doctor,--I have some one to protect me now against your
lawless tongue," cried Madge, with inimitable good-humor.

"Come and dine with us to-morrow, and you shall prove my words a libel,
if you please. I cannot say that my wife will be able to give you any
thing better than Mrs. Linwood's poor fare, but it shall be sweetened by
a heart-warm welcome, and we will drink the health of the bonny bride in
a glass of ruby wine!"

And was it possible that no note was taken of the strange absence of the
master of the table? Was it no check to social joy and convivial
pleasure? It undoubtedly was, in the first place; but Margaret's
exhilarating presence neutralized the effect produced by his absence on
the spirits of the guests. The occasion, too, was so unexpected, so
inspiring, that even I, sad and troubled as I was, could not help
yielding in some degree to its gladdening influence.

After supper I had a long and delightful conversation with my
metamorphosed preceptor. He spoke of his marriage with all the
ingenuousness and simplicity of a child. He thanked me for having told
him, when I parted from him in New York that he had an influence over
Margaret that he had not dreamed of possessing. It made him, he said,
more observant of her, and more careful of himself, till he ready found
her a pleasant study. And somehow, when he had returned to his country
home, it see