s quite well how it is to end. It is only a momentary vexation.
And I don't say, myself, it will do Harry any harm to have his
masculine self-complacency disturbed a little, by just the bare
possibility of disappointment. One values what it costs one some
trouble to have and to hold."

"Rose, you are as bad as Arthur," said Fanny.

"Am I? Oh! I do not mean that Harry doesn't value little Amy enough;
but he is unreasonable and foolish, and it looks as if he were afraid to
trust her among all those fine people who admire her so much."

"It is you who are foolish, now, Rose," said her sister. "Harry may be
unreasonable, but it is not on that account; and Amy is a jewel too
precious not to be guarded. No wonder that he grudges so much of her
time, and so many of her thoughts to indifferent people. But it will
soon be over now."

"Who knows? `There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip,' you
know," said Arthur. "Who knows but Harry may be the victim among us?
Our matrimonial adventures have been monotonously prosperous, hitherto.
Witness Rosie's success. It would make a little variety to have an
interruption."

But Harry was not destined to be a victim. As the winter wore over,
Mrs Roxbury relented, and "listened to reason on the subject," Harry
said; and by and by there began to be signs of more than usual
occupation in the Roxbury mansion, and preparations that were likely to
throw Rosie's modest efforts in the direction of housekeeping altogether
in the shade. But Rosie was not of an envious disposition, and enjoyed
her pretty things none the less, because of the magnificence of Harry's
bride. As for little Amy, she took the matter of the trousseau very
coolly. Mamma was quite equal to all that, and took trouble enough, and
enjoyment enough out of it all for both, and she was sure that all would
be done in a right and proper manner, without anxiety or over-exertion
on her part, and there was never a happier or more light-hearted little
bride than she.

At first it was proposed that the two weddings should take place on the
same day, but, afterwards, it was decided otherwise. It would be
inconvenient for business reasons, should both the partners be away at
the same time, and in those circumstances the wedding trip would be
shortened. And besides, the magnificence of the Roxbury plans, would
involve more trouble as to preparations, than would be agreeable or
convenient; and Rose proposed to go qui