y were ashamed of putting a morsel into
their mouths before people. They ask for the least piece of this, and
for an imaginary crumb of that; and make their entertainers
uncomfortable by their ridiculous fastidiousness; while, if we could see
these very delicate masticators in their own homes, perhaps we should
find them grumbling for Benjamin's share of the daily meal. For my own
part, I always eat in public as if no eye was upon me, and do it in a
hearty, natural way. You may be sure, when you see persons, whether male
or female, give themselves great airs at table, that they have never
been used to good society at home."

Flora thought there was a great deal of truth in some of Wilhelmina's
remarks. But she felt that it would be dangerous to take the doings of
such an odd mortal for precedents in any case; and she was justified in
her opinion by Miss Carr, the moment the table was cleared, calling for
hot water, brandy, and wine.

"Do you smoke?" she cried, producing a box of cigars from the closet,
and a long Turkish pipe. Then, drawing down the window-curtains, she
tucked her legs under her upon the sofa, and commenced filling, from a
beautiful inlaid silver box, her hooker, with its finely-ornamented bowl
and amber mouthpiece.

Flora looked her astonishment, as she said,--

"Miss Carr, do you _really_ smoke?"

"Do I know what is good?" said Wilhelmina. "Did you never see a woman
smoke before?"

"Yes, Irish barrow-women in London; and I thought it odd, even for
them."

"They were wise women, my dear, and knew how to appreciate the merits of
the weed. The Irish are a clever people--a very clever people. You
remember, that I am Irish by the mother's side, and have retained one of
the national tastes. But it was not in Ireland, nor in the streets of
London, sitting upon a fruit-woman's barrow, that I learned the
pleasures of smoking. It was in the East, with all its pretended
romance, and real humbug, that I acquired what you consider an
unfeminine accomplishment. I saw fat, turbaned men sitting cross-legged
in every bazaar, dozing over their huge pipes, in a sort of dreamy
helplessness; and I determined to fathom the mystery of their enjoyment,
and find out the grand secret.

"The first few whiffs I took made me very sick and stupid. 'Courage,'
said I, not in the least disheartened--

"'Pleasure cometh after pain,
Sunshine cometh after rain--
Wilhelmina, try again.'

And I did try, for I