nt off into a sound, vulgar
sleep!" said Helen, going to her toilette-table to adjust her hair,
while she laughed as if the whole thing had been an amusing adventure.
"It will learn you to run off again," she continued.

"Well, well--perhaps I am exacting; but understand one thing, Helle,
about me," said Walter Jerrold, gravely, "I can bear with, and forgive
_errors_--but deception, _never_."

"Walter!" said Helen, reproachfully, while tears suffused her fine eyes.

"Forgive me, Helle, if my words grate on your feelings. It is best for
married folk to understand each other's peculiarities as early as
possible. Shall I ring for Elise, for you are tangling and tearing
your hair to pieces?"

"If you please. I will soon join you, if you will tell me where to
find you," she replied, with assumed composure.

"At the breakfast table, I trust," he said, pleasantly; "I am thirsting
for a cup of mocha, after my long journey."

"I suspect you will find it ready. I ordered them to have it ready
early;--but see, Walter! have you any special engagement this forenoon?"

"Nothing _very_ particular after ten, Helen. Why?"

"Why, you know that _Matinees_ are all the rage now. I hold my first
one to-day.--All the world have promised to come!"

"You don't want me, then?" he said, laughing.

"Of course I do. It will look proper for you to be present at the
_first_. People can't be ill-natured then. I've heard a great many
queer stories about the _Matinees_."

"It is well to be prudent in these fashionable follies, Helle--touch
some of them with gloves on. I do not like this new style of thing,
but if it's the fashion, we must fall in. I'll come, provided there is
no scandal and high play," he said, laughing.

As the hour for the _Matinee_ approached, Helen's drawing-rooms
presented a _coup d'oeil_ of splendor and elegance. Daylight was
carefully excluded; and alabaster lamps threw a soft, moon-lit
radiance, through flowers and garlands, over the scene. The costly
mirrors, the magnificent furniture, of the time of _Louis le Grande_,
the lofty, frescoed ceiling, the exquisite statuary, and rare
paintings, were all in fine keeping with each other, and gave, what an
artist would call, tone and harmony to the scene. Attired in white
crape and pearls, Helen had never looked more lovely; and of all who
crowded with compliments around her, there was not one to rival her.
Group after group of the _beau monde_ made their w