uppose,
And who is there can reason upon those?
I'd like to see the one so bold."

The lively winter season was at its height in New Orleans, and all the
vast city astir with life and gayety. In the former wealthy home of the
Camfords, her wrought slippers resting on the polished grate in the
elegant parlor, sat a prim maiden lady, arrayed in steel-colored satin.
An embroidered muslin morning-cap was placed with an air of much
precision over her glossy brown _imported_ locks, and the pointed collar
around her neck was secured by a plain bow of fawn-colored ribbon.

Suddenly the door opened, and a gentleman, of fine personal appearance,
and elegantly attired, entered the apartment, with hat and gloves in
hand.

"Where is Winnie?" was the hasty inquiry.

"I left her in her room half an hour ago," was the reply.

"It is quite time we should go;--the theatre will be filled to
overflowing at Miss Julia's benefit," remarked the gentleman. "I wish
you would go with us, sister."

"Theatres will do for girls and _fops_," said the lady; "_my_ mind
requires something solid and weighty to satisfy it."

"Then I suppose Col. Edmunds suits you exactly," observed the gentleman,
laughing; "he is a real Sir John Falstaff in proportions."

"I'm in no mood for your frivolous jests. If you were in a rational
temper I would like to ask you a question."

"Well, out with it. I'm as rational at thirty as I ever will be,
probably."

"You were becoming quite a decent man before this fly-a-way girl came
among us. Now I wish to know when she is going away?"

"Heavens! I don't know; not at present, I hope," said the gentleman,
quickly.

"Well, either she or I will leave pretty soon," returned the lady,
pursing up her lips with a stiff, determined expression; "she is such
a self-willed, obstinate little thing, and turns the house all
topsy-turvy, and makes such a racket and confusion, that I cannot and
_will_ not endure it longer. My mind requires quiet for contemplation."

"Why, she seems to me like a sunbeam; like a canary-bird in the house,
sister; warming, and filling it with music."

"She seems to me more like a hurricane, or wild-cat," remarked the lady,
spitefully.

The gentleman laughed, and, at this juncture, in bounded the subject of
the discourse, arrayed in azure silk, a wreath of white flowers on her
head, and a wrought fan swinging by a ribbon at her delicate wrist.

"Well, I've been waitin