eard his wife's last remark, and entering with his finger on his lip,
exclaimed, in a low voice, "Hush! hush! don't say too much about it! We
are profiting by a glorious mistake on the part of our good landlord.
These rooms were engaged for somebody, that's certain, but not for us.
However, they can't do no more than turn us out when the right folks
come, and until then we have a prospect of very good lodgings."

But if they were not the right folks, the right folks never came, and,
in the course of a week, our party not only ceased to be conscious of
their precarious footing in the house, but obtained a favourable
exchange for Emily to a bed-room upon the first floor, which opened
directly into the drawing-room, and saved her from passing up and down
the often crowded staircases.

It was nearly tea-time on the day of their arrival, and Emily and
Gertrude had just completed their toilet, when there was a light rap
upon their door. Gertrude opened it, and admitted Ellen Gryseworth, who,
while she saluted her with southern warmth of manner, hesitated, saying,
"I am afraid you will think me an intruder, but Netta told me you had
arrived, and hearing from the chamber-maid that you had the next room to
mine, I could not forbear stopping a moment as I passed to tell you how
very glad I am to see you again."

Gertrude and Emily expressed their pleasure at the meeting, urged her to
come in and remain until the gong sounded for tea. She accepted the
invitation, and, taking a seat upon the nearest trunk, inquired
concerning their travels and Emily's health since they parted at West
Point.

Among other adventures, Gertrude mentioned their having again
encountered Mr. Phillips. "Indeed!" said Miss Gryseworth; "he seems to
be an ubiquitous individual. He was in Saratoga a day or two ago, and
sat opposite to me at our dinner-table, but I have not seen him since.
Did you become acquainted with him, Miss Graham?"

"I am sorry to say I did not," replied Emily; then, looking smilingly at
Gertrude, she added, "Gerty was so anxious for an opportunity to
introduce me that I was quite grieved for her disappointment."

"Then you liked him?" Miss Gryseworth asked Gertrude, and speaking with
great earnestness. "I knew you would."

"He interested me much," replied Gertrude. "He is very agreeable, very
peculiar, and to me rather incomprehensible."

"Non-committal, I see," said Miss Gryseworth, archly. "I hope you will
have a chance to ma