certain quaint way she had of expressing herself that was charming in
connection with her fresh young face. She was neither diffident nor
awkward, knowing too little of the world to fear, and having naturally
that simplicity of manner which touches nearly upon high breeding.
But Mr. Archer being one of those men who think that "beauty should
go beautifully," her toilette shocked him. Under the influence of her
presence he felt that he had neglected her. The whole house reproached
him: the few rooms that had been furnished were dilapidated and worn.

"I did not know things looked so badly down here," he said
apologetically. "I am sure I must have had everything properly
arranged when Nurse Bridget came. Your cradle was comfortable, was it
not?"

"I scarcely remember," answered his daughter demurely.

"Oh! ah! yes! It is some time ago, I believe?"

"Seventeen years."

"Y-e-s: I had forgotten."

He had an idea, this man of a hundred schemes, that his "baby"
was laughing at him, and, singularly enough, it raised her in his
estimation. He even asked her to come and live with him in the city,
but she refused, and he did not insist.

Then he set about making a change, which was soon accomplished. He
sent for furniture and carpets, and cleared the rubbish from without
and within. Under his decided orders a complete outfit "suitable for
his daughter" soon arrived, and with it a maid. Nellie, whose ideas
of maids were taken from Lucetta, was much disappointed in the actual
being, and the modern Lucetta was also disappointed when she saw
the "howling wilderness" to which she had been inveigled; so the two
parted speedily. But Mr. Archer remained: he was one of those men
who do things thoroughly which they have once undertaken. When he
was satisfied with Nellie's appearance he took her to call on all the
neighboring families within reach.

Among others, they went to see Mrs. Overbeck, Danby's mother, whom
Mr. Archer had known in his youth. Nellie wore her brave trappings
bravely, and acted her part nicely until Mrs. Overbeck gave her a
motherly kiss at parting, when she grew pale and trembled. Why should
she? Her hostess thought it was from the heat, and insisted on her
taking a glass of wine.

In the autumn of this year Danby graduated and returned home. Nellie
had not seen him during all this interval: he had spent his vacations
abroad, and had become quite a traveled man. While she retained her
affection for him un