watering-places and sea-side resorts, but never one where there was so
much to see and to do; so many delightful ways of passing the time. I
think I shall vote for Nantucket again next year, when we are
considering where to pass the hot months."

"And I," said Edward, "echo my wife's sentiments on the subject under
discussion."

"Your wife" the lady exclaimed, with a look of surprise.

"I took her to be your sister; you are both so very young in
appearance."

"We are not very old," laughed Edward; "Zoe is but sixteen, but we have
been married a year."

"You have begun early; it is thought by some that early marriages are
apt to be the happiest, and I should think them likely to be, provided
the two are willing to conform their tastes and habits each to those of
the other. I trust you two have a long life of happiness before you."

"Thank you," they both said, Edward adding, "I think we are disposed to
accommodate ourselves to each other, and whether our lives be long or
short, our trials many or few, I trust we shall always find great
happiness in mutual sympathy, love and confidence."

The lady asked if they had seen all the places of interest on the
island, and in reply they named those they had seen.

"Have you been to Mrs. Mack's?" she asked.

"No, madam, we have not so much as heard of her existence," returned
Edward, sportively. "May I ask who and what she is?"

"Yes; she is the widow of a sea-captain, who has a collection of
curiosities which she keeps on exhibition, devoting the proceeds, so
she says, to benevolent purposes. She is an odd body; herself the
greatest curiosity she has to show, I think. You should visit her museum
by all means."

"We shall be happy to do so if you will kindly put us in the way of it,"
said Edward. "How shall we proceed in order to gain admittance?"

"If we can get up a party it will be easy enough; I shall then send her
word, and she will appoint the hour when she will receive us; she likes
to show her independence, and will not exhibit unless to a goodly
number.

"I know of several visitors on the island who want to go, and if your
party will join with them there will be no difficulty."

"I think I can promise that we will," said Edward. "I will let you know
positively to-morrow morning."

"That will do nicely. Hark, they are singing aboard the yacht."

They listened in silence till the song was finished.

"I recognized most of the voices," Mrs. Fry remarked,