riendship. "If you
really wish it, you shall go," he said.

"But you must go also."

"Yes;--for one day. And I must have a pair of gloves and a black
coat."

"And a blue one,--to be married in."

"Alas me! Must I have a pink silk gown to walk about in, early in the
morning?"

"You shall if you like, and I'll make it for you."

"I'd sooner see you darning my worsted stockings, sweetheart."

"I can do that too."

"And I shall have to go to church in a coach, and come back in
another, and all the people will smell sweet, and make eyes at me
behind my back, and wonder among themselves how the tailor will
behave himself."

"The tailor must behave himself properly," said Lady Anna.

"That's just what he won't do,--and can't do. I know you'll be
ashamed of me, and then we shall both be unhappy."

"I won't be ashamed of you. I will never be ashamed of you. I will be
ashamed of them if they are not good to you. But, Daniel, you shall
not go if you do not like it. What does it all signify, if you are
not happy?"

"I will go," said he. "And now I'll sit down and write a letter to my
lord."

Two letters were written accepting the invitation. As that from the
tailor to the lord was short and characteristic it shall be given.

MY DEAR LORD,

I am much obliged to you for your lordship's invitation
to Yoxham, and if accepting it will make me a good fellow,
I will accept it. I fear, however, that I can never be a
proper fellow to your lordship. Not the less do I feel
your courtesy, and I am,

With all sincerity,
Your lordship's very obedient servant,

DANIEL THWAITE.

Lady Anna's reply to aunt Julia was longer and less sententious, but
it signified her intention of going down to Yoxham a week before the
day settled for the marriage, which was now the 10th of July. She was
much obliged, she said, to the rector for his goodness in promising
to marry them; and as she had no friends of her own she hoped that
Minnie Lovel would be her bridesmaid. There were, however, sundry
other letters before the ceremony was performed, and among them was
one in which she was asked to bring Miss Alice Bluestone down with
her,--so that she might have one bridesmaid over and beyond those
provided by the Yoxham aristocracy. To this arrangement Miss Alice
Bluestone acceded joyfully,--in spite of that gulf, of which she had
spoken;--and, so accompanied, but without her lady's-maid, Lady Anna
returned to