was unhappily disappointed. 'The tables are turned now, my dear,'
he said, triumphantly. 'Instead of _my_ house and furniture, _my_
servants, and _my_ money, it is quite another story, and henceforth I
shall have a word to say as to the manner in which _my_ means shall be
invested.'

"He was true to his word. I was left absolutely penniless. If my
wardrobe needed replenishing I had to tell him the exact amount it would
take for each article. I had, too, nothing to bestow upon charitable
objects, for he had always condemned my efforts to relieve others as
indiscriminate charity, that did more harm than good. He bought
everything that was consumed in the house, and hired and paid the
servants himself. This was something new for him to do. My domestics had
been well trained, and wholly under my control, having been long in my
aunt's family, and accustomed to my ways. My husband had often heard me
say that it would be impossible to keep house without these faithful
attendants, for I was totally inexperienced in such matters.

"Now, however, he dismissed them all, and surrounded me with strangers.
My remonstrances were unheeded. 'This is _my_ house, Mrs. Westbourne,'
he would say. 'Henceforth everything shall go as I wish, and if not
agreeable to you, I can gladly dispense with your company altogether.'

"I soon found that this was the one object dear to him. My presence
grew, every day, seemingly more intolerable. This new trouble nearly
overwhelmed me. I learned now that the means that were denied me, was
daily lavished upon others among whom my name was a by-word. One day the
postman brought me a letter, in an unknown hand. It ran thus:

MADAM:--Why do you look so frightfully ill? Every one is remarking
upon your altered appearance. You have everything to make you
happy. Your husband is handsome, and generous as a prince. To prove
it: yesterday he gave me five hundred dollars, and to-day I clasped
upon my arm a splendid bracelet, flashing with beautiful gems, also
his gift. The wheel of fortune turns, and those who were poor and
obscure but yesterday, are rich to-day. _Your_ day of power is
over. Do not be the last to see it. Show some spirit. Be up and
doing. Your society has lost its charm for your husband, and he
finds his only happiness in the love of another who can appreciate
him better than you have ever done. Very well! seek your own
affinity, and find