greatly shocked that you had done it. Susan Goldsborough remarked that
if she had known that you had so little sense as to undervalue such a
woman in that way, or so little feeling and good-breeding as to
violate the laws of common hospitality and politeness so grossly, she
would assuredly have declined the party for Julia when you proposed it
to her."

Mrs. Smith had grown quite pale, and could only answer tremulously,
"What a misconstruction!--dear me--it was Cousin Sabina's wish--how
strange a mistake."

"It certainly is strange if they were so mistaken, and stranger still
that a woman of so much dignity, and so accustomed to society as Miss
Incledon, should have preferred watching your servants to taking her
proper place among your guests. I thought to myself whilst they were
talking, that it seemed hardly consistent with your usual way of doing
things, to put upon such duty a person who in all probability would
soon be Mrs. Colonel Raynor, and the aunt of Mrs. Morgan Silsbee. I
shouldn't wonder if the match came off in a month."

"Cousin Sabina likely to be married in a month!--and to Colonel
Raynor!" exclaimed Mrs. Smith, startled out of her usual tact, and her
lips growing yet bluer.

"Bless me! didn't you know the story?" said Miss Debby, in her turn
looking surprised; "they met last summer at the Springs, and the
colonel was so pleased with her unpretending good sense, excellent
principles, and superior mental cultivation, that he proposed to her
before she went away. She deferred her answer until she and his
children should have become acquainted. You know he is a widower with
three daughters--two of them married. She has been in correspondence
ever since with Mrs. Morgan Silsbee, the colonel's niece, who has been
trying to make the match, and who, that her cousins may meet her, has
insisted upon the present visit. They are lovely young women, the
daughters, whom she cannot fail to like, and as they know how to
appreciate such a woman as Miss Incledon, there is no doubt of the
marriage taking place. It will be a great thing for you, Mrs. Smith;
the connection will do more for you than a dozen parties. And such a
charming place as you will have to visit! The colonel lives like a
prince, and at only a few hours' drive from here. You can go there in
the summer with your children, and meet a constant run of company more
choice than at a watering-place, and all without any expense. When
your cousin comes bac