d we say, 'The season for hot rooms is beginning.' We alone
of civilized races spend our summer in a capital, and cling to the
country when the trees are leafless and the brooks frozen."

"Certainly that is a mistake; but I love the country in all seasons,
even in winter."

"Provided the country house is full of London people?"

"No; that is rather a drawback. I never want companions in the country."

"True; I should have remembered that you differ from young ladies in
general, and make companions of books. They are always more conversable
in the country than they are in town; or rather, we listen there to them
with less distracted attention. Ha! do I not recognize yonder the fair
whiskers of George Belvoir? Who is the lady leaning on his arm?"

"Don't you know?--Lady Emily Belvoir, his wife."

"Ah! I was told that he had married. The lady is handsome. She will
become the family diamonds. Does she read Blue-books?"

"I will ask her if you wish."

"Nay, it is scarcely worth while. During my rambles abroad I saw but
few English newspapers. I did, however, learn that George had won his
election. Has he yet spoken in Parliament?"

"Yes; he moved the answer to the Address this session, and was much
complimented on the excellent tone and taste of his speech. He spoke
again a few weeks afterwards, I fear not so successfully."

"Coughed down?"

"Something like it."

"Do him good; he will recover the cough, and fulfil my prophecy of his
success."

"Have you done with poor George for the present? If so, allow me to ask
whether you have quite forgotten Will Somers and Jessie Wiles?"

"Forgotten them! no."

"But you have never asked after them?"

"I took it for granted that they were as happy as could be expected.
Pray assure me that they are."

"I trust so now; but they have had trouble, and have left Graveleigh."

"Trouble! left Graveleigh! You make me uneasy. Pray explain."

"They had not been three months married and installed in the home they
owed to you, when poor Will was seized with a rheumatic fever. He was
confined to his bed for many weeks; and, when at last he could move from
it, was so weak as to be still unable to do any work. During his illness
Jessie had no heart and little leisure to attend to the shop. Of course
I--that is, my dear father--gave them all necessary assistance; but--"

"I understand; they were reduced to objects of charity. Brute that I am,
never to have thought of the duties