Ellen, and he is afraid
somebody will carry you off. He will pay us a visit this winter, I expect,"
said Mrs. Weston.

"Well," said Ellen laughingly, "I'd rather take up with him than to go back
to my old life, now that I see you are all so happy here."

"But your aunt and uncle," said Miss Janet, "you must not feel unkindly
toward them."

"No, indeed," said Ellen, "they are both good and kind in their way, but
uncle is reserved, and often low-spirited. Aunt is always talking of the
necessity of self-control, and the discipline of life. She is an
accomplished teaze. Why, do you know," continued Ellen, laughingly, as she
removed Miss Janet's hand from her mouth, the old lady thus playfully
endeavoring to check her, "after I had accepted Mrs. Weston's kind
invitation, and mammy and I were busy packing, aunt said I must not be too
sanguine, disappointments were good for young people, and that something
might occur which would prevent my going. I believe I should have died
outright, if it had turned out so."

"And so," said Mr. Barbour, "to get rid of a dull home, you are determined
to fly in the face of fate, and are going to Washington after a husband.
Ah! Miss Ellen, beware of these young men that have nothing but their
whiskers and their epaulettes. Let me tell you of a young friend of mine,
who would marry the man of her choice, in spite of the interference of her
friends, and one April morning in the honey moon they were seen
breakfasting under a persimmon tree. However, as you are a young lady of
fortune, you will always be sure of coffee and hot rolls; your good father
has made such a sensible will, that the principal never can be touched. How
many fine fortunes would have been saved, if Southerners had taken such
precautions long ago. You will have a fine time young ladies, you must keep
an account of your conquests, and tell me of them when you come back."

"Its only Ellen who is going in search of love adventures, Mr. Barbour,"
said Alice.

"Make yourself easy, Mr. Barbour," said Ellen. "I mean to have a delightful
time flirting, then come back to marry you, and settle down. Mammy says I
can't help getting good, if I live near Miss Janet."

"Well, I will wait for you," said Mr. Barbour. "And now Alice, sing me a
sweet old Scotch song. Sing, ''Twas within half a mile of Edinburgh town'."

"I can't come quite so near it as that," said Alice, "but I will sing
''Twas within a mile.'" She sang that, and then