"Don't be absurd, Bella; I can always see you, at any rate."

"And yet you can't guess? Well, then, my dear, I have altered my mind."

"What about?"

"Only yesterday I meant to be an old maid, and now I don't."

Lucia clapped her hands. "Oh, Bella! is it Doctor Morton?"

"I suppose so. You see it would be more convenient for me in some ways
to be married; Elise and William might get tired of too much of my
society, and no doubt it will suit him very well to have a house
rent-free and a little money besides."

"Don't, Bella, you are incorrigible. I should think you might leave off
joking now."

"Not I, I assure you. I leave the sentimental side of the question to
you and Mr. Percy; though, to tell you the truth, I think you would be
much better off in that respect with Maurice, and his highflown notions,
which Elise calls chivalrous."

Certainly Bella's manner agreed with her words--never was so important a
piece of news told by one girl to another, in so calm and business-like
a style. Lucia, rather given to romance herself, was puzzled and half
shocked.

When the visitors were gone, she repeated what she had heard to her