Mrs. Campbell adopted years ago."

"You an orphan!" returned Miss Porter. "Well, if I ever! Who adopted
your sister?"

"A poor woman in the country," was Ella's answer.

Miss Porter, who was a notorious flatterer, replied, "I must see her,
for if she is any thing like you, I shall love her instantly."

"Oh, she isn't like _me_" said Ella, with a curl of her lip. "She's
smart enough, I suppose, but she hasn't a bit of polish or refinement.
She doesn't come here often, and when she does, I am always in a
fidget, for fear some of the city girls will call, and she'll do
something _outré_."

"I guess, then, I won't go down, at least not till I'm dressed,"
answered Miss Porter; and Ella, throwing on a dressing-gown, descended
to the parlor, where she met her sister with the ends of her fingers,
and a simple, "Ah, Mary, how d'ye do? Are you well?"

After several commonplace remarks, Ella at last asked, "How did you
know I was at home?"

"Mr. Knight told me," said Mary.

"Mr. Knight," repeated Ella; "and pray, who is he? I don't believe
he's on my list of acquaintances."

"Do you remember the man who carried me to the poor-house?" asked