new her best
and loved her most.

She looked very stately and queen-like, wrapped in her ample shawl and
leaning back in her seat with a quiet grace which Mrs. Harrington
attempted in vain to imitate. Indeed, the effort only made the ambitious
little woman appear more fussy and affected than ever.

"Here comes Tom Fuller," cried Elsie, suddenly. "Was there ever such an
ungraceful rider! Just look at him, Bessie, and laugh, if he is your
cousin. I insist upon it!"

"Oh, I think he's such a love!" cried Mrs. Harrington. "Deliciously
odd."

"I'll tell him you said that," cried Elsie; "just to see him blush."

"Oh, don't!" exclaimed the widow, clasping her hands as if she thought
Elsie was about to stop the carriage and inform him then and there.
"What would he think?"

The young man at whom Elsie was laughing quite unrestrainedly, rode
rapidly towards them, and when he saw Elsie, his face glowed with a
mingled expression of pleasure and embarrassment that made her laugh
more recklessly than ever.

He made a bow almost to the saddle, nearly lost his hat, and did not
recover his presence of mind until the carriage had dashed on, and he
was left far behind to grumble at his own stupidity.

"It is too bad of you to laugh at him," said Elizabeth Fuller, a little
reproachfully.

"Why, darling, he likes it," cried Elsie, "and it does him good."

"I am sure his devotion to you is plain enough," said Mrs. Harrington,
with a sentimental shake of the head. "Hearts are too rare in this world
to be treated so carelessly."

"Oh, don't!" exclaimed Elsie. "You'll be repeating poetry next! Tom is a
nice man, just a great awkward lump of goodness; but I must laugh at
him. Dear me, what a groomsman he will make! Bessie, I know he will step
on my dress."

"I hope so," Elizabeth replied, good naturedly; "I shall consider you
served right."

"Oh," cried Mrs. Harrington, roused by a fear she was fully capable of
appreciating, "it would be such a pity to have all that beautiful
Brussels point torn--do caution him, my dear."

"No," said Elsie, with mock resignation, "Bessie insists upon having him
for groomsman, and I shall let him put his foot through my flounces with
perfect equanimity, by way of showing my affection for her. Talk of
giving your life for your friends, what is that in comparison to seeing
your flounces torn!"

Her companions both laughed, but Elizabeth said seriously, "When you
know Tom better, you cannot hel