dress was of fine quality, and made beautifully, and her
little gold watch with its chain "put a finish upon it," Anne said. A
little hair necklace with a gold clasp was round her neck besides; and
her comb was real tortoise-shell. Clarissa was dainty, there was no
doubt; but her sweet mouth was grave and modest; her words were few;
her manners were very kindly and proper; and her cousins on the whole
were obliged to approve her.

CHAPTER IV.

"What is all this hurry about?" Clarissa inquired one evening, as they
were going down-stairs in answer to the tea-bell; "why are we earlier
than usual? Anne says we are."

"Oh, because it is prayer-meeting night--no, not prayer meeting, it
isn't either, but our Band-meeting; and we have to be early for that,
you know. Oh, you don't know anything about our Band; but you will,
to-night. You'll join it, won't you, Clarissa?"

"I know something about Bands," said Clarissa; "but I never belonged to
one. Is it the custom here for ladies to do such things?"

"What things? And do you know about bands? like ours?"

"I daresay I shall find I have something to learn," said Clarissa.

"There is a great deal to learn from Mr. Richmond, I can tell you,"
said Maria. "Oh, you don't know Mr. Richmond, you haven't seen him,
because Sunday was so stormy. Well, you'll see him to-night."

"Aunt Englefield," said Clarissa, when they were seated at the
tea-table,--"is your Mr. Richmond Band-master as well as clergyman?"

"Bands are a mystery to me, Clarissa," said Mrs. Englefield; "I do not
understand Maria when she gets upon that subject. I hope you will be
able to enlighten me some time. Are you going to-night?--well, then, I
shall hope to be wiser when you return."

Tea was hurried through, cloaks and furs and hoods and all sorts of
wrappings were put on; and the party set forth, Anne and Letitia this
time going along. It was pleasanter out than in. White streets and
clear starlight, and still, cold, fine air. About the corner a few men
and boys were congregated as usual; after passing them and turning into
the other street, few passengers were to be seen. Here and there one,
or a group, making for the lecture-room; here and there somebody
seeking a friend's house for pleasure; nobody was out on business at
Shadywalk in the evening, and no waggons or sleighs got belated in the
darkness. It would have been very dark, but for the snow and the stars.
There were no shop-windows illum