she would not be carried quite away from us. But suppose we proceed to
business. We should have a double wedding, I think."

"Oh, don't talk of it yet," said Rose, with a slight tremble in her voice,
and looking at Elsie's flushed, conscious face with eyes full of unshed
tears. "Adelaide's is to be within the next two months, and--we cannot
give up Elsie so suddenly."

"Of course not," said Adelaide; "and I should have serious objections to
being used as a foil to Elsie's youth and beauty."

The Howards and Mr. Travilla stayed to tea, and shortly before that meal
the party was increased by the arrival of Walter Dinsmore and Mrs. Dick
Percival.

Enna had lost flesh and color; and long indulgence of a fretful, peevish
temper had drawn down the corners of her mouth, lined her forehead, and
left its ugly pencilings here and there over the once pretty face, so that
it already began to look old and care-worn. She was very gayly dressed, in
the height of the fashion, and rather overloaded with jewelry; but powder
and rouge could not altogether conceal the ravages of discontent and
passion. She was conscious of the fact, and inwardly dwelt with
mortification and chagrin upon the contrast presented by her own faded
face to that of Elsie, so fair and blooming, so almost childish in its
sweet purity and innocence of expression.

"So you are single yet," Enna said, with a covert sneer; "and not likely
to marry either, so far as I've been able to learn. They'll soon begin to
call you an old maid."