ion. And
now Miss Calista and Evelina, who kept themselves informed of all that
was going on at the Rookery, reported that "the _most magnificent_
furniture" had come, and the curtains and pictures were being hung, and
it was certain that the owner of the place would be there soon.

At length a travelling carriage, in which was seated Mr. Harrington,
with a lady by his side, and two little girls in front, was seen by
these indefatigable ladies to drive rapidly through the street, and out
towards the Rookery. The lady was in mourning, and her veil was down.
Who could she be?

And now it was rumored in the village that Mr. Harrington was actually
married; and whenever he met any of his old acquaintances, he invited
them with great cordiality to call to see his wife. The Misses Fairland
determined not to be outdone by any, and, the more effectually to
conceal their own disappointment, were among the first to call.

Who can conceive of their astonishment and mortification, when they
found that the mistress of the Rookery was no other than the former
governess, Agnes Elwyn! Agnes received them with the utmost kindness;
begged them to ask their father, whom she remembered with much
affection, to come very soon to see her; was much pleased to hear how
happy Rosa and Jessie were at Mrs. Arlington's; and brought them tidings
of Frank, who was under Mr. Malcolm's care.

"And where is that delightful gentleman who was with Mr. Harrington,
when he was here two summers since--Mr. Wharton I think his name was?"
asked Miss Evelina.

"Mr. Tom Wharton? Oh, he will be here in a few days. He has purchased
the place next to us, and is about to build there. I suppose, as it is
no longer a secret, I may tell you that he is soon to be married to my
cousin, Effie Wharton. They will remain with us most of the time till
their house is finished."

The countenances of the visitors fell on hearing this, and they soon
rose and took leave.

And now we know not better how to wind up or _run down_ our story, than
to pass over two or three years and introduce our reader to another
Christmas party at Mr. Wharton's, for it still is the custom, for all
the scattered members of the family to gather in the paternal mansion to
spend the Christmas holidays.

Mr. and Mrs. Wharton appear as a fine-looking middle-aged couple, on
whom the years sit lightly, for their lives have been happy and useful
ones, and there is no such preservative of fresh and yo