mination still held out, he had grown slightly cautious,
and had conceived a plan for going like a spy into the camp of
the enemy, and there thoroughly reconnoitring the positions that
he had to storm, and at the same time making himself master of
the wiles and stratagems that were the peculiar weapons of the
female foe, and so learn some infallible way to capture a
first-quality wife. At any rate, he would give himself the
benefit of the doubt and make the experiment. He would a-wooing
go, not apparelled in conquering broadcloth, in subjugating
marseilles, or overpowering doeskin, but carrying the unaccustomed,
but not less potent weapons of laces, moire-antique, crinoline,
and gaiters.

In fact, there was also a stern necessity in the case, for the
lady on whom he had now set his young affections was particular
as to her customers, and did not admit the shirt-collar gender to
the honor of her confidence.

But was this to stop him? If the lady shut out the whole
masculine world from the inevitable fascinations of her
superabundant charms, was it not for sweet charity's sake, that a
whole community might not go into ecstatic frenzies over her
peerless beauty, and all men, being stricken in love of the same
woman, go to cutting each other's throats with bowie-knives and
other modern improvements!

It was easy to see that _Madame Morrow_ did not want to become
another Helen, to be abducted to some modern Troy, and have a ten
years' row, and any quantity of habeas corpuses, and innumerable
contempts of interminable courts, after the modern fashion of
conducting a strife about a runaway maiden.

Such a considerate beauty, veiling her undoubted fascinations
from the rude gaze of man, from purely prudential reasons, must
be a prize of rare value, and well worth the winning.

Her qualifications in magic, too, seemed to be of the very first
order, to judge from her notification to the wonder-seeking
world.

"ASTONISHING TO ALL.--Madame MORROW claims to be the
most wonderful astrologist in the world, or that has
ever been known, as I am the seventh daughter of the
seventh daughter, who was also a great astrologist. I
have a natural gift to tell past, present, and future
events of life. I have astonished thousands during my
travels in Europe. I will tell how many times you are
to be married, how soon, and will show you the likeness
of your future husband, and will cause you