me, you needn't put on these meek airs. I insist upon it, you have
been feeling self-righteous and abused," said John, laughing; "but
'all's well that ends well.' Sit down, now, and write him a real
sensible letter, like a nice honest woman as you are."

"And say, 'Yes, sir, and thank you too'?" said Grace, laughing.

"Well, something in that way," said John. "You can fence it in with
as many make-believes as is proper. And now, Gracie, this is deuced
lucky! You see Sydenham will be down here at once; and it wouldn't be
exactly the thing for you to receive him at this house, and our only
hotel is perfectly impracticable in winter; and that brings me to what
I am here about. Lillie is going to New York to spend the holidays;
and I wanted you to shut up, and come up and keep house for us. You
see you have only one servant, and we have four to be looked after.
You can bring your maid along, and then I will invite Walter to our
house, where he will have a clear field; and you can settle all your
matters between you."

"So Lillie is going to the Follingsbees'?" said Grace.

"Yes: she had a long, desperately sentimental letter from Mrs.
Follingsbee, urging, imploring, and entreating, and setting forth all
the splendors and glories of New York. Between you and me, it strikes
me that that Mrs. Follingsbee is an affected goose; but I couldn't say
so to Lillie, 'by no manner of means.' She professes an untold amount
of admiration and friendship for Lillie, and sets such brilliant
prospects before her, that I should be the most hard-hearted old Turk
in existence if I were to raise any objections; and, in fact, Lillie
is quite brilliant in anticipation, and makes herself so delightful
that I am almost sorry that I agreed to let her go."

"When shall you want me, John?"

"Well, this evening, say; and, by the way, couldn't you come up and
see Lillie a little while this morning? She sent her love to you, and
said she was so hurried with packing, and all that, that she wanted
you to excuse her not calling."

"Oh, yes! I'll come," said Grace, good-naturedly, "as soon as I have
had time to put things in a little order."

"And write your letter," said John, gayly, as he went out. "Don't
forget that."

Grace did not forget the letter; but we shall not indulge our readers
with any peep over her shoulder, only saying that, though written with
an abundance of precaution, it was one with which Walter Sydenham was
well satisfied.