a few?"

"It will be a most agreeable mode of passing the time," said I.

"This is from Aunt Georgiana--she's a widow--lives at Cheltenham.
'My dearest Dorothea--'"

"Who?"

"Dorothea's my name, Mr. Carter. It means the gift of heaven,
you know."

" 'My dearest Dorothea, I have heard the news of your engagement
to Lord Mickleham with deep thankfulness. To obtain the love of
an honest man is a great prize. I hope you will prove worthy of
it. Marriage is a trial and an opportunity--'"

"Hear, hear!" said I. "A trial for the husband and--"

"Be quiet, Mr. Carter. 'A trial and an opportunity. It searches
the heart and affords a sphere of usefulness which--' So she goes
on, you know. I don't see why I need be lectured just because
I'm going to be married, do you, Mr. Carter?"

"Let's try another," said I. "Who's that on pink paper?"

"Oh, that's Georgy Vane. She's awful fun. 'Dear old Dolly,--So
you've brought it off. Hearty congrats. I thought you were
going to be silly and throw away--' There's nothing else there,
Mr. Carter. Look here. Listen to this. It's from Uncle