married, her
husband would be away from home a great deal, and then it would not look
well for her to receive much attention in his absence. She seemed to
acknowledge the force of my remarks, and said that she should do all in
her power to make Henry happy.

"On returning to New York, I found that Henry had been just appointed
first mate, and that I had pleased the company so well that they wished
me to take command of a new ship which they were building. I gladly
accepted the command, and as the ship was not ready for sea, I returned
to the farm, where I spent two months. I was somewhat annoyed at Annie's
conduct occasionally, as she received, and apparently enjoyed, the
attention of several stylish young men, more than was befitting a girl
who was engaged to be married. I frequently ran down to New York to
oversee the rigging of the new ship, so that I did not know much about
her acquaintances; but once, on my return, I saw a beautiful amethyst
ring on Annie's finger.

"'Where did you get that ring, Annie?' I asked.

"She laughed gaily and said:

"'Oh! it isn't mine; a gentleman loaned it to me to wear a few days.'

"My impression was, however, that it had been given to her, and I feared
she was forgetting Henry; so I said:

"'That is a strange way of acting, Annie. You are engaged to Henry, and
you ought to know that it is a wrong and an insult to him for you to
receive a present from another young man. If Henry knew of this, it
would make trouble.'

"She recognized the truth of what I had said, but she was determined not
to acknowledge that she had done wrong; so she flew into a passion and
said, as sneeringly as possible;

"'Oh! so you are left here to watch me, are you? Well, then, just report
to him that I can get a better husband than he is, any day. I am not
going to shut myself up, like a nun in a convent, for any man.'

"I told her that I had no desire to act the part of a tale-bearer, but
that I spoke only for her good; her conscience must tell her that she
was doing wrong. I concluded by asking her to stay more at home, and
thus prepare for a more domestic life. I did not see the ring after
this, but Annie was very distant in her manner toward me; her actions
showed as plainly as if she had spoken, that she considered me in the
light of an unreasonable guardian, who wished to deprive her of all
enjoyment. Her giddiness and perverseness caused me much trouble, and I
greatly feared she would become