."

"Very well, my dear," said Mrs. Throckmorton, with indestructible
good-humor.

"Or you might have a headache, if you'd rather, and I'll send your
dinner up to you. I'll be sure Susan takes you everything that's nice."

"Well, then, I think I'll have a headache; I'm afraid I'd rather have it
than one of Mary Ann's poor dinners. (I'd be sure of one to-morrow if
I went.)"

"Paris things have spoiled you, I'm afraid," I said. "Only see that I
have something nice for Richard, won't you?--How do you think the cook
is going to do?" This was the first sign of interest I had given in the
matter of _menage_; by which it will be seen I was still a little
selfish, and not very wise. But Throckmorton was a person to cultivate
my selfishness, and there had not been much to develop the wisdom of
common life.

She promised me a very pretty dinner, no matter at what trouble, and
made me feel quite easy about her wounded feelings. One of the best
features of Throckmorton was, she hadn't any feelings; you might treat
her like a galley-slave, and she would show the least dejection. It was
a temptation to have such a person in the house.

I had sent a note to Richard which contained the following:

/#
"DEAR RICHARD:

"I am sure you will be surprised to know we have returned.
But the fact is, I got very tired of Italy; and we were
disappointed in the apartments we wanted in Berlin, and some
of the people we expected to have with us had to give it up,
and altogether it seemed dull, and we thought it would be
just as pleasant to come home. We were able to get staterooms
that just suited us, and it didn't seem worth while to lose
them by waiting to send word. We had a very comfortable
voyage, and I am glad to find myself at home, though Mrs.
Throckmorton doesn't think the rooms are very nice. I want to
know if you won't come to dinner. We dine at six. Send a line
back by the boy. I want to ask you about some
business matters.

"Affectionately yours,

"PAULINE."
#/

And I had received for answer:

/#
"MY DEAR PAULINE:

"Of course I am astonished to think you are at home. I
enclosed you several letters by the steamer yesterday, none
of them of any very great importance, though, I think. I will
come up at six.

"Always yours,

"RICHARD VANDERMARCK.

"P.S. I am very glad you wanted to come home."
#/