ay to live in an American town, in order that he
might escape the miseries which his wife had brought upon him in his
own country, was more than Caroline could bear. She knew that, at
any rate, it would not come to that. The lord of Monkhams would live
at Monkhams, though the heavens should fall--in regard to domestic
comforts. It was clear to Caroline that Wallachia Petrie had in truth
never brought home to her own imagination the position of an English
peer. "I don't think you understand the people at all," she said
angrily.

"You think that you can understand them better because you are
engaged to this man!" said Miss Petrie, with well-pronounced irony.
"You have found generally that when the sun shines in your eyes your
sight is improved by it! You think that the love-talk of a few weeks
gives clearer instruction than the laborious reading of many volumes
and thoughtful converse with thinking persons! I hope that you may
find it so, Caroline." So saying Wallachia Petrie walked off in great
dudgeon.

Miss Petrie, not having learned from her many volumes and her much
converse with thoughtful persons to read human nature aright, was
convinced by this conversation that her friend Caroline was blind
to all results, and was determined to go on with this dangerous
marriage, having the rays of that sun of Monkhams so full upon her
eyes that she could not see at all. She was specially indignant at
finding that her own words had no effect. But, unfortunately, her
words had had much effect; and Caroline, though she had contested her
points, had done so only with the intention of producing her Mentor's
admonitions. Of course it was out of the question that Mr. Glascock
should go and live in Providence, Rhode Island, from which thriving
town Caroline Spalding had come; but, because that was impossible,
it was not the less probable that he might be degraded and made
miserable in his own home. That suggested jury of British matrons
was a frightful conclave to contemplate, and Caroline was disposed
to believe that the verdict given in reference to herself would
be adverse to her. So she sat and meditated, and spoke not a word
further to any one on the subject till she was alone with the man
that she loved.

Mr. Spalding at this time inhabited the ground floor of a large
palace in the city, from which there was access to a garden which at
this period of the year was green, bright, and shady, and which as
being in the centre of