g for you these ten minutes," said the gentleman,
gazing with admiration on the lovely being before him; "let us go now,
or I fear some impertinent person may intrude upon our reserved seats.
The carriage is at the door."

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Lester," said Winnie.

"O, no apology, Miss Morris!" returned he, gayly; "gentlemen always
expect to wait for ladies; it is their privilege."

"Miss Mary," said Winnie, advancing toward the prim lady by the grate,
"I fear I have misplaced some of your toilet articles, for I could not
find one half of mine. The chamber-maid had given them new places, and I
took the liberty to apply to yours, but I'll put them all right in the
morning."

"O, it is very well, of course," returned the lady, sharply; "plain
enough who is mistress here."

Winnie stood irresolute, gazing with astonishment on Miss Mary's angry,
flushed countenance, and at length turned her blue eyes toward the
gentleman, who was attentively regarding her features.

"Come, Winnie," said he, opening the hall-door, "we shall be very late."

The young girl quickly followed his direction. "Is brother Wayland to be
there?" she inquired, as the carriage rolled away.

"I urged his attendance, and he half promised to go," answered the
gentleman; "but, if he fails, cannot you be contented with me alone for
one brief evening?"

"O, yes, many!" returned Winnie. "I only wished he would go and not
confine himself to business so closely."

"I wish he would relax his editorial labors, for his health demands it,
I think," said Mr. Lester. "We must induce him to quit the chair of
office, and take a trip up the river this spring."

"I wish he would leave that dull, tedious printing-office a few weeks,"
exclaimed Winnie. "He has long entertained a project of erecting a
little cottage on the shore of Tennessee, where we used to live, for
himself and me, and I think he has sufficient money now to carry his
plan into effect; don't you, Mr. Lester?"

"Undoubtedly he has; but such a proceeding would not please me at all,"
answered the gentleman.

"Why not?" asked Winnie, turning her eyes quickly toward her companion.

He smiled to meet her startled glance, and said, "I will explain my
reasons at some future time, Winnie. We are now at the theatre."

Mr. Lester handed the fair girl from the carriage, and they made their
way through the crowd. Wayland met them on the steps, and accompanied
them home after the p