e, too, very much like a flirtation on your part, to leave
the rest, and go away with that big--big--"

"Doctor," suggested Rose.

"And we shall have all the town, and Mrs Gridley, telling us next, that
you--"

"Harry, dear, I always know when I hear you mention Mrs Gridley's name,
that you are becoming incoherent. _I_ leave _you_. Quite the contrary.
And please don't use that naughty word in connection with my name
again, or I may be driven to defend myself in a way that might not be
agreeable to you. Dear me, I thought you were growing to be reasonable
by this time. Don't let Graeme see us quarrelling."

"You look tired, dear," said Graeme, as they went up-stairs together.

"Well, it was a little tedious, was it not? Of course, it wouldn't do
to say so, you know. However, I got through it pretty well, with little
Etta's help. Did you enjoy the Roxbury party much?"

"I kept wishing we had not separated," said Graeme. "Oh! yes, I enjoyed
it. They asked us there to-night to meet some nice people, they said.
It is not to be a party. Harry is to dine here, and go with us, and so
is Mr Millar."

"It will be very nice, I daresay, only I am so very tired. However, we
need not decide till after dinner," said Rose.

After dinner she declared herself too sleepy for anything but bed, and
she had a headache, besides.

"I noticed you looked quite pale this afternoon," said Arthur. "Don't
go if you are tired. Graeme, what is the use of her going if she does
not want to?"

"Certainly, she ought not to go if she is not well. But I think you
would enjoy this much, better than a regular party? and we might come
home early."

"Oh! I enjoy regular parties only too well. I will go if you wish it,
Graeme, only I am afraid I shall not shine with my usual brilliancy--
that is all!"

"I hope you are really ill," said Harry. "I mean, I hope you are not
just making believe to get rid of it."

"My dear Harry! Why, in all the world, should I make believe not well
`to get rid of it,' as you so elegantly express it? Such great folks,
too!"

"Harry, don't be cross," said Fanny. "I am sure I heard you say, a day
or two since, that Rose was looking thin."

"Harry, dear!" said Rose, with effusion, "give me your hand. I forgive
you all the rest, for that special compliment. I have had horrible
fears lately that I was getting stout--middle-aged looking, as Graeme
says. Are you quite sincere in saying that, or are