manage herself to evade it all, she artfully reasoned. Thus the book was obtained, the account commenced, and Mrs. Harley did not give herself the trouble to inquire about it. This indifference did not escape the eagle-eyed housekeeper, and she resolved to take advantage of it.

Dorcas was an excellent errand girl; a little bribe would induce her to run herself almost to death. How often were her services required when Mrs. Harley was out! Little Johnny had to be tied in a chair, and left alone, while she was out doing the housekeeper's errands. If he fell over, which he sometimes did, of which proof was given by a burn or scratch, good Mrs. Hopkins was the first to tell his mother, adding, "Poor little dear, when children creep so fast, they are sure to go to the wrong place." The bruise was faithfully rubbed and kissed, and all was well again. Thus was the shortsighted mother deceived even by Dorcas; for she soon followed the example of the housekeeper, because she was rewarded with a handful of figs or a nice cake whenever she pleased Mrs. Hop

kins.

Matters now went on swimmingly. This term is used, because they were literally all afloat. Mrs. Harley was out every morning, enjoying her delightful freedom. Mr. Harley was always served with food excellently cooked, and as the kitchen was prohibited ground to him, unless at night, after all had gone to rest, of course, things were in order for him to see at that time, as all they wished concealed was carefully put away, and he really began to feel as if his home might still yield him some enjoyment. The book was now kept at the grocer's entirely; for it was so often wanted, that Mrs. Hopkins said she could not take the trouble of it; besides, she feared lest Mr. Harley should get sight of it; and already leaf after leaf was filled with little sundries, from a cent's worth of yeast to those more expensive articles which gave such fine flavour to their soups, and such delicacies to their table. Mr. Harley sometimes wondered how it was that there was not oftener a call upon his purse. He never dreamed of the grocer's "little account."

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CHAPTER VIII.

A PARTY PROPOSED.

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99

HUSBAND," said Mrs. Harley, throwing herself upon the sofa, as she returned late from making some fashionable calls, and found him waiting for her to dine, we must return some of our numerous obligations to people Here she ran to the centre table, and taking up a note, said, "Do look here; we have an invitation to Mrs. Howe's party the sixteenth of March, and this makes the second to which we have been invited without returning her civilities: it will not do; we must give a party. There never can be a better time than now to do so; we have good help, and, if we give it in the house, this will make all things go on smoothly; but I am thinking we had better adopt the last fashion, and go to Grubini's. We can be provided with everything there without any trouble; besides, it is the most genteel way of receiving one's friends."

"But you forget the enormous expense of

doing so, my dear," said Mr. Harley; "a party got up in this style would not amount to much short of five hundred dollars. If I should happen to have a note due that day, and wanted my five hundred, I should begin to wish that I had received my friends at home.”

"Poh! poh!" said Mrs. Harley, "you commenced this style of talking a year or two ago, when business was dull; now you know you told me the other night you had sold more that day than would be sufficient to give half a dozen parties."

"Provided I received my pay for the goods, I should have added."

"There is always an if in the way when I propose anything fashionable or genteel, Mr. Harley; I suppose, though, we could manage very well with a party in the house. Our rooms are large, and the basement would do to set the supper-table in; or, in case it did not, we might remove the beds and throw open our chambers. Still, I should rather go to the Hall; the floor is so much better for dancing, and there would not be such a tremendous jam. At any rate, we will talk it over this evening; the bell is ringing for dinner now, and I will

just throw off my cloak, and be down in a minute."

Sure enough, the dinner was ready, cooked to a nicety. The first course was vermicelli soup; next, a brace of ducks, beautifully roasted; then a black currant pudding, “as rich as wedding cake," according to Mrs. Hopkins's assertion, for the recipe was taken from an old English cook-book. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harley rejoiced that at length things were arranged to their mind.

During the afternoon Mrs. Harley's thoughts were busily engaged in making out the arrangements for the intended party. Thought she, "I must have a new dress-shall it be satin or velvet? The latter, I have understood, is the most worn this winter; and if I could contrive to get it trimmed with one of those golden wreaths, how splendidly it would look! besides, I could get my ostrich feathers coloured to match! but then husband will say it is silly to make such a parade—Oh dear! I wish he was more fond of living stylishly!" In the midst of these cogitations, Mrs. Gerrish entered. After the first complimentary phrases were over, Mrs. Gerrish said, "Are you going to