s, sir! Poor things! they would not be the
worse for a little of our foolishness!"

Things settled themselves according to Julius's prediction; for Mr.
Bowater, coming up with his son Herbert to see his old friend, said,
"What grand doings are you having here? What is Raymond's wife up
to? Ladies' conversazione--that's a new thing in these parts!"

"I gave such matters up to her," said Mrs. Poynsett. "Young people
like a little freedom of action; and there are changes in the
neighbourhood since I was laid up." It was a temporizing speech, to
avoid showing her total ignorance.

Mr. Bowater cleared his throat. "Young folk may like freedom of
action, but it don't always follow that it is good for them. I hope
she won't get Raymond into a scrape, that's all--committing him and
herself to a course of lectures by that Yankee woman on woman's
rights."

"It does not commit him; it is before he comes home, on Wednesday,"
said Herbert.

"Never mind that; what a woman does her husband does. Look here,
Mrs. Poynsett, I brought over Jenny's note in my pocket; see, here
are two--one to accept, and one to refuse, just as you choose."

"Oh! accept, by all means," cried Mrs. Poynsett; "don't leave the
wrong one!"

Then she changed the conversation, so decidedly, that Mr. Bowater
could not resume his warning; but after taking leave of her, he met
Rosamond in the avenue, and could not help saying, "Pray, was my old
friend aware of Mrs. Raymond's doings?"

"Have you told her? Oh! I am so glad!"

"Then it is as you said, Herbert. Mrs. Raymond had left her in
ignorance! The impudent baggage! That's what the world is coming
to!"

"But what regular game Mrs. Poynsett was!" said Herbert. "You could
not make out in the least that she had been left in the lurch; and
I'm sure she has a plan, by the way in which she desired Jenny and
Edie to come."

"Only make her understand that the Wil'sbro' folks are in a ticklish
state," said Mr. Bowater; "they are sulking already, because they
say the ladies have been stirring him up to put them to expense
about the drains."

"Wil'sbro' isn't sweet," said Herbert.

"There's been nothing amiss in my time," returned his father.
"Perfectly healthy in all reason! Ay! you may laugh, young folks,
but I never heard of any receipt to hinder people from dying; and
let well alone is a safe maxim."

"If it be well," said Rosamond. "However, Raymond says whatever is
done must be by gene