come, so as to take him. There'll be a very pleasant season. What a pity
you can't go! However, people must regard their time of life, and take
care of their health. There's old Mrs. Octoyne says she shall never give
up. She hopes to bring out her great-grand-daughter next winter, and
says she has no life but in society. I suppose you know Herbert Octoyne
is engaged to one of the Shrimps. They keep their carriage, and the girls
dress very prettily. Herbert tells the young men that the Shrimps are a
fine old family, which has been long out of society, having no daughters
to marry; so they have not been obliged to appear. But I don't know about
visiting them. However, I suppose we shall. Herbert Octoyne will give 'em
family, if they really haven't it; and the Octoynes won't be sorry for
her money. What a pretty shawl! Did you hear that Mellish Whitloe has
given Laura a diamond pin which cost five hundred dollars? Extravagant
fellow! Yet I like to have young men do these things handsomely. I do
think it's such a pity about Laura's nose--"

"She can smell with it, I suppose, mother; and what else do you want of a
nose?"

It was Miss Fanny Newt who spoke, and who had entered the room during the
conversation. She was a tall young woman of about twenty, with firm, dark
eyes, and abundant dark hair, and that kind of composure of manner which
is called repose in drawing-rooms and boldness in bar-rooms.

"Gracious, Fanny, how you do disturb one! I didn't know you were there.
Don't be ridiculous. Of course she can smell with it. But that isn't all
you want of a nose."

"I suppose you want it to turn up at some people," replied Miss Fanny,
smoothing her dress, and looking in the glass. "Well, Aunt Dagon, who've