ned to her one little _clique_; that
there's neither beauty, nor sense, nor any thing else out of her
particular set. Now I can tell her that there's more beauty among
those who don't give themselves half the airs, and who she looks down
upon, than there is to be found among her 'fashionables.' But Emma is
perfectly ridiculous with her 'exclusive' nonsense," he continued,
with much feeling, evidently showing how deeply he resented his
sister's reflections upon the style and stamp of his present
admiration, Miss Dawson.

"Oh," said Mrs. Castleton, soothingly, "it's a mistake all very young
girls make, Harry. They know nothing out of one circle. Of course,
they disparage all others."

But Harry was not to be quieted so easily. He was not satisfied until
he had poured forth all his complaints against Emma; and Mrs.
Castleton found it best not to take her part, but trust to the result
of her experiment of the next week with putting him in good humor with
her again.

"Will you call with me?" she continued, presently. "I have ordered the
carriage at one."

He looked pleased, and said he would. But after a little while he
seemed to grow nervous and fidgetty--walked about the room--asked a
good many questions, without seeming to attend much to the answers,
and at last said, hurriedly,

"Well, Laura, it's rather late, and I have an engagement down town--do
you care about my calling with you? You know it's only necessary for
you to leave your card. You need not go in even, if you don't care
about it."

"Oh, certainly," she replied. "No, don't wait for me."

And he took his hat and darted off like light, as if he had made an
escape from he hardly knew what.

Mrs. Castleton could not but laugh as she heard him shut the
hall-door, almost before she was aware he had left the room, well
pleased with this indication of susceptibility on his part, which she
took as a good omen of the future, fully believing that "future events
cast their shadows before." "If Harry were nervous already, what would
he be on Thursday evening."

The call was made. Miss Dawson was out. A card was left, with an
invitation, which, in due time, was accepted.

"Are you going to ask the Hazletons," inquired Emma.

"No," said Mrs. Castleton; "I don't want to have too large a party. I
want just enough to fill my rooms prettily, so that you can see
everybody, and how they are dressed--just one of those small, select,
pretty parties, where everybody i