mused, and replied without hesitation, "O mine, Miss Patty, mine, both
of 'em!" Miss Patty now looked around the room, and, missing Mr. Graham,
advanced to his wife, saying, "And where, madam, is the bridegroom?"

Mrs. Graham, a little confused, replied that her husband would be in
presently, and invited Miss Pace to be seated.

"No, mistress, I am obliged to you; I have an inquiring mind, and, with
your leave, will take a survey of the apartment. I love to see
everything that is modern." She then examined the pictures upon the
walls, but had not proceeded far before she turned to Gertrude and
asked, loud enough to be heard, "Gertrude, my dear, what have they done
with the second wife?" Gertrude looked surprised, and Miss Pace
corrected her remark, saying, "Oh, it is the counterfeit that I have
reference to; the original, I am aware, departed long since; but where
is the counterfeit of the second Mrs. Graham? It always hung here, if my
memory serves me."

Gertrude whispered a reply to this question, and Miss Pace then uttered
the following soliloquy: "The garret! well, 'tis the course of nature;
what is new obliterates _the recollection, even_, of the old."

She now linked her arm in Gertrude's, and made her the companion of her
survey. When they had completed the circuit of the room, she stopped in
front of the group of young people, all of whom were eyeing her with
great amusement, and claimed the acquaintance of Mr. Bruce, and asked to
be introduced to that member of the war department, as she styled
Lieutenant Osborne. Kitty introduced her with great formality, and at
the same time presented the lieutenant to Gertrude. A chair was now
brought, Miss Patty joined their circle and entertained them until
dinner time. Gertrude again sought Emily's room.

At the table, Gertrude sat next to Emily, whose wants she always made
her care, and with Miss Patty on the other side, had no time or
attention to bestow on anyone else; much to the chagrin of Mr. Bruce,
who was anxious she should observe his assiduous devotion to Kitty,
whose hair was adorned with the moss-rose buds, and her face with
smiles.

Belle was also made happy by the marked admiration of the young officer.
Occasionally, some remark made by Miss Pace irresistibly attracted the
attention of every one at the table, and extorted either the laughter it
was intended to excite, or a mirth which, though perhaps ill-timed, it
was impossible to repress.

Mr. Grah