not worth minding or estimating in the consideration
in question.

So, when Madame La Vigne replied to his abrupt query, "Oh, very, _very_
much, indeed!" and held out her kind hand to me, I took it without
misgiving, and the first glance we interchanged contained freemasonry.
From that time Colonel Prosper La Vigne fell gracefully back into his
proper position, and I talked away fluently enough with his lady, as he
pompously called his wife. In short, at the end of an hour it was
settled that I was to join them the same evening, at their hotel, and
proceed with them thence to New York, there to take the packet for
Savannah (their first destination) on the same night. The plantation on
which they lived, they informed me, was nearly a day's journey, by
carriage-conveyance, beyond that city, but eligibly situated for health
(though not for productiveness), among a low range of hills known as the
"Les Dernier" Mountains, the name being anglicized into "Less derneer,"
with the accent on the last syllable, so as to metamorphose it
completely to the ear, instead of translating it.

"It is a very lonely place though, Miss Harz, in the winter-time--mamma
ought to tell you that," whispered Marion, the eldest daughter, as she
nestled so closely to me, and looked so kindly in my face, that the
intruding thought of her unwillingness for my society was instantly
banished. "In the summer it is pleasant enough, so many people come to
their cottages in the hills; but, during eight months of the year, we
have but one near neighbor, and not a very social one either."

"From circumstances alone unsocial, Marion," said Madame La Vigne,
flushing slightly (her usual complexion was of a fair sallowness, common
to Southern ladies). "Cousin Celia is certainly devoted at heart to
every one of us, but she cannot, you know, leave home often."

"Oh, I know, mamma! I only meant to keep Miss Harz from being
disappointed."

"Miss Harz has internal resources, I have no doubt," rejoined Madame La
Vigne; "and, even if she had not, I fear her duties would preclude much
longing for excitement.--It is a very onerous task you are undertaking,
my dear young lady, certainly," turning kindly to me. "Five ignorant
little Southern girls, well disposed but imperfectly trained, will fill
your hands to positive overflowing, I fear. You will find me exacting,
too, sometimes. I am sure I shall enjoy your society whenever you
choose to bestow it on me, and Colonel