ing out for her,
and Muff standing on her shoulder, catching flies off the panes of
glass. The evening was cold and raw, though the month was August, and
threatened rain. Such changes are common on the coast. The dreary aspect
of things without was relieved by a small but very cheerful fire, which
was burning away merrily in the grate. A large easy chair, covered with
snow-white dimity, was placed near it, expressly for Flora's
accommodation, into which she was duly inducted by Miss Carr, the moment
she had relieved herself of her bonnet and shawl. Everything looked so
comfortable and cosy, in the neat lodging-house, and the tame mad woman
received Mrs. Lyndsay with such hospitable warmth of manner, that the
former regretted that her husband was not allowed to share her visit.

"You are late," said Wilhelmina, drawing a small sofa up to the fire,
and placing it opposite to Flora's easy chair, so that a pretty
work-table stood conveniently between them; "I told you to come early,
and I have been waiting for you this hour."

"I am sorry for that. I thought I had come unfashionably early."

"Fashion! What have you or I to do with anything so absurd as fashion?
You are too poor to attend to the whims and caprices which sway the mind
of the multitude, from which I presume emanate the fashions of the
world; and I am too independent to be swayed by any will but my own. We
will therefore set the fashion for ourselves. This is liberty hall while
I am mistress of it. I do as I please; I give you full permission to do
the same. But what kept you so late?"

"A thousand little domestic duties, too numerous and too trifling to
dwell upon," said Flora, drawing her work from her bag; "since you give
me the privilege of doing as I please, I will resume my work, while I
listen to your lively conversation."

"You will do no such thing," returned Wilhelmina, twitching a frill
which Flora had commenced hemming, from her hand, "I will have no
stitching and sewing here, but as much conversation as you please." Then
ringing the bell, she handed over the frill to Mrs. Turner, "Give that
to your daughter, Mrs. T., to hem for me, and tell her to do it in her
very best style."

"Why, la, ma'am, 'tis a very small affair," said Mrs. Turner, with a
meaning smile.

"A nightcap frill for Muff," said Miss Carr. "The cold weather is
coming. I mean Muff to wear caps in the winter."

"You are a droll lady," said Mrs. Turner retreating; "it's a pit