her decision to accompany
Jacquelina to Washington City.

Edith approved the plan.

The next morning Marian left the house to go to Locust Hill, where,
besides the family, she found Thurston already awaiting her.

Thurston was seated by Jacquelina, endeavoring, by his gay and brilliant
sallies of wit and humor, to charm away the sullen sadness of the pale
and petulant little beauty.

And, truth to tell, soon fitful, fleeting smiles broke over the little
wan face--smiles that grew brighter and more frequent as she noticed the
surly anxiety they gave to Dr. Grimshaw, who sat, like the dog in the
manger, watching Thurston sunning himself in the light of eyes that
never, by any chance, shone upon him, their rightful proprietor!

Never! for though Jacquelina had paled and waned, failed and faded,
until she seemed more like a moonlight phantom than a form of flesh and
blood--her spirit was unbowed, unbroken, and she had kept her oath of
uncompromising enmity with fearful perseverance. Petitions,
expostulations, prayers, threats, had been all in vain to procure one
smile, one word, one glance of compliance or forgiveness. And the fate
of Dr. Grimshaw, with his unwon bride, was like that of Tantalus. And
now the inconceivable tortures of jealousy were about to be added to his
other torments, for this man now sitting by his side, and basking in the
sunshine of her smiles, was the all-praised Adonis who had won her
maiden admiration months ago.

But Thurston soon put an end to his sufferings--not in consideration of
his feelings, but because the young gentleman could not afford to lose
or risk the chance of making one of the party which was to number Marian
among its members. Therefore, with a light smile and careless bow, he
left the side of Jacquelina and crossed over to Mrs. Waugh, with whom,
also, he entered into a gay and bantering conversation, in the course of
which Mrs. Waugh mentioned to him their purpose of going to Washington
for a month or two.

It was then that, with an air of impromptu, Thurston informed her of his
own contemplated journey and voyage, and of his intention to go to
Baltimore by way of Washington.

"And when do you leave here?" asked Mrs. Waugh.

"I thought of starting on Wednesday morning."

"The very day that we shall set out--why can't we travel in company?"
asked Henrietta, socially.

"I should be charmed, indeed--delighted! And nothing shall prevent me
having that honor and pleasur