the honored recipient of Mrs. Bertram's favors.

"She came to see me on account of Beatrice," remarked the hostess. "At
least I think that was why she came. I beg your pardon, did you say
anything, ladies?"

"Oh! fie, fie! Mrs. Meadowsweet," said Miss Peters, "you are too modest.
In my sister's name and my own, I say you are too modest."

"And in my name too," interrupted Mrs. Morris. "You are too humble, my
dear friend. She called to see you for _your own dear sake_ and for
no other."

"And now let us all be friendly," continued Miss Peters, "and learn the
news. I think we are all of one mind in wishing to learn the news."

Mrs. Meadowsweet smoothed down the front of her black satin dress. She
knew, and her friends knew, that she would have much preferred the honor
of Mrs. Bertram's call to be due to Beatrice's charms than her own. She
smiled, however, with her usual gentleness, and plunged into the
conversation which the three other ladies were so eager to commence.

Before they departed they had literally taken Mrs. Bertram to pieces.
They had fallen upon her tooth and nail, and dissected her morally, and
socially, and with the closest scrutiny of all, from a religious point
of view.

Mrs. Meadowsweet, who never spoke against any one, was amazed at the
ingenuity with which the character of her friend (she felt she must call
Mrs. Bertram her friend) was blackened. Before the ladies left Mrs.