e, if Mrs. Waugh will permit my
attendance."

"Why, my dear Thurston, to be sure I will--but don't waste fine speeches
on your uncle's old wife. How do you travel?"

"As far as Washington I shall go on horseback, with a mounted groom to
bring back the horses, when I proceed on my journey by stage to
Baltimore."

"On horseback! Now that is excellent--that is really providential, as it
falls out--for here is my Hebe, whom I have coaxed to be of the party,
and who will have to perform the journey also on horseback, and you will
make an admirable cavalier for her!"

Thurston turned and bowed to Marian, and expressed, in courtly terms,
the honor she would confer, and the pleasure she would give, in
permitting him to serve her. And no one, to have seen him, would have
dreamed that the subject had ever before been mentioned between them.

Marian blushed and smiled, and expressing her thanks, accepted his
offered escort.

These preliminaries being settled, Thurston soon after arose and took
leave.

Marian remained some time longer to arrange some little preparatory
matters with Mrs. Waugh, and then bade them good-by, and hastened
homeward.

But she saw Thurston walking his horse up and down the forest-path, and
impatiently waiting for her.

* * * * *

Dr. Grimshaw was very much dissatisfied; and no sooner had Marian left
the home, and left him alone with Mrs. Waugh and Jacquelina, than he
turned to the elder lady, and said, with some asperity:

"I think it would have been well, Mrs. Waugh, if you had consulted the
other members of your party before making so important an addition to
it."

"And I think it would be better, Dr. Grimshaw, if you would occupy your
valuable time and attention with affairs that fall more immediately
within your own province," said Henrietta, loftily, as she would
sometimes speak.

Dr. Grimshaw deigned no reply. He closed his mouth with a spasmodic
snap, and sat ruminating--the very picture of wretchedness. He was,
indeed, to be pitied! For no patience, no kindness, no wooing could win
from his bride one smile. That very afternoon, under the combined
goadings of exasperated self-love and poignant jealousy, Dr. Grimshaw
sought an interview with Mrs. L'Oiseau, and urged her, in the most
strenuous manner, to exert her maternal influence in bringing her
daughter to terms.

And Mrs. L'Oiseau sent for Jacquelina, to have a talk with her. But not
all her arg