down without him.

"Well, now," said Ella, "I think it's quite nice to take a meal
occasionally without the presence of anybody of the masculine gender."

"Perhaps that is because you have never been married," said Zoe.

"Perhaps so," returned her cousin, laughing; "yet I don't think that can
be all that ails me, for I have heard married women express the same
opinion quite frequently. What shall we do with ourselves to-day, Zoe?
I've no notion of devoting myself exclusively to Miss Deane's
entertainment, especially if she is really as cross as reported."

"No, indeed! I couldn't bear to let you, even if you were willing,"
replied Zoe with decision. "I consented to your taking my place in
that, only because I supposed you found her agreeable; while to me she
is any thing else."

"Suppose we call on her together, after a little, and let the length of
our stay depend upon the enjoyment our presence seems to afford her,"
suggested Ella.

"Agreed," said Zoe. "Then I will supply her with plenty of
reading-matter, which, as she professes to be so very intellectual,
ought to entertain her far better than we can. Shall we ride after
that?"

"Yes, and take a promenade on the verandas. We'll have to take our
exercise in those ways, as the roads are not yet fit for walking."