ame to see Mrs. Costello, the latter had affairs
of her own with Lucia. Mr. Percy, for once, was decidedly _de trop_, but
after awhile the two girls slipped away and shut themselves up in
Lucia's bedroom. The moment the door was closed, Bella burst into a
torrent of talk.

"Oh! my dear, I was determined to come to you this morning, but I dare
say it was trouble thrown away. Have you any attention to spare from
your own affairs for your neighbours?"

"Plenty. How did you enjoy yourself last night?"

"You shall hear. It was a dull enough evening till the very end. There
was Maurice looking as black as thunder at May Anderson; and Magdalen
Scott and Harry--not flirting, they have not sense enough for that--but
making themselves ridiculous; and everybody else as usual."

"Why was Maurice looking black at May?"

"Because she was talking about you. It's not safe for anybody to talk
about you before Maurice, I can tell you. But _I_ don't want to talk
about them, but about myself. Do you know what has happened?"

"How should I till you tell me?"

"Well, you might guess; but, I suppose, since Mr. Percy came, he has
prevented you from seeing anything beyond himself."

"Don't be absurd, Bella; I can always see you, at any rate."

"And yet you can't guess? Well, then, my dear, I have altered my mind."

"What about?"

"Only yesterday I meant to be an old maid, and now I don't."

Lucia clapped her hands. "Oh, Bella! is it Doctor Morton?"

"I suppose so. You see it would be more convenient for me in some ways
to be married; Elise and William might get tired of too much of my
society, and no doubt it will suit him very well to have a house
rent-free and a little money besides."

"Don't, Bella, you are incorrigible. I should think you might leave off
joking now."

"Not I, I assure you. I leave the sentimental side of the question to
you and Mr. Percy; though, to tell you the truth, I think you would be
much better off in that respect with Maurice, and his highflown notions,
which Elise calls chivalrous."

Certainly Bella's manner agreed with her words--never was so important a
piece of news told by one girl to another, in so calm and business-like
a style. Lucia, rather given to romance herself, was puzzled and half
shocked.

When the visitors were gone, she repeated what she had heard to her
mother, with wondering comments on a compact so coolly arranged, and was
rather surprised to find that Mrs. Costello complete