CHAPTER II.

THE LITTLE WIFE.





THREE o'clock came at last, although 'Toinette had become fully
persuaded it never would; and the little guests arrived as
punctually as juvenile guests are apt to arrive. Later on in life,
people either expect less pleasure from meeting each other, or are
more willing to defer securing it; or perhaps it is that they are
willing to allow their friends the first chance of appropriating the
happiness in store for all. If none of these, what is the reason,
children, that, at grown parties, the struggle is to see who shall
arrive last, while at ours it is to see who shall come first?

'Toinette was dressed, and in the drawing-room ready to receive her
little friends, by half-past two; and very nice she looked in her
light-blue merino frock, with its pretty embroideries, her long
golden hair curled in the feathery ringlets Susan was so proud of
making, her sleeves looped up with new bracelets, and a little
embroidered handkerchief just peeping out of her pockets

Mrs. Legrange, who sat reading by the fire, watched with some
amusement and more anxiety the movements of the little beauty, who