h," said Lucinda. "You remember what we agreed upon after we'd
told Albion Bennet that we'd keep it secret."

"Of course I remember," said Hannah; "but there ain't any harm in my
reminding you how queer it was that we found the arsenic, that the
poor thing had been taking to make her beautiful complexion, in her
room."

"It was awful," said Lucinda. "Poor soul! I always liked her. People
ought to be contented with what God has given them for complexions."

"I wonder if she would have looked very dreadful if she hadn't taken
it," Hannah said, ruminatingly. She was passing the kitchen
looking-glass as she spoke, and glanced in it. Hannah considered that
her own skin was very rough. "I suppose," said she, "that it would
never have happened if she had been careful. I suppose lots of women
do use such things."

Lucinda cast a sharp glance at Hannah. "It's downright wicked fooling
with them," said she. "I hope you won't get any such ideas into your
head."

"No, I sha'n't," replied Hannah. "I'm married."

"I heard pretty straight this morning," said Lucinda, "that Lucy
Ayres had got married out West, and had done real well."

"I'm mighty glad of it," said Hannah, sharply. "She was crazy enough
to get married when she was here."

Lucinda echoed her as sharply. "Guess you're right," she said.
"Albion Bennet told me some things. I shouldn't think she'd make much
of a wife, if she has got a pretty face."

"She's just the kind to settle down and be a real sensible woman,
after she's found out that she's on the earth and not in the clouds,"
returned Hannah, with an air of wisdom.

Then Albion Bennet came into the kitchen for some hot water for
shaving. He was going to the wedding, and had closed his store early,
and was about to devote a long time to preparations. Lucinda, also,
was going. She had a new black silk for the occasion.

When Albion left the kitchen he beckoned her to follow him. She made
an excuse and went out into the corridor. "What is it?" she said to
Albion, who was waiting, holding his pitcher of hot water.

"Nothing," said he, "only I was over to Alford this morning and--I
bought some violets. I thought you'd like to wear them to the
wedding."

Lucinda stared at him. "What for?" asked she.

Albion fidgeted and his pitcher of hot water tilted.

"Look out, you're spilling the water," said Lucinda. "What for?"

"I--thought you might like to wear them, you know," said Albion. He
had never before g