sphere," she said. "Our Old Virginia country-house is never so dear
and fair at any other time as when I return to it after playing at
fine lady abroad for a month or six weeks. I used to fret at the
monotony of my daily existence; think my simple plsasures tame. I am
thankful that I go back to them, as I grow older, as one does to
pure, cold water, after drinking strong wine."

"You are blessed in having this fountain to which you may resort in
your heart-drought," answered Frederic, sadly. "The gods do not
often deny the gift of home and domestic affections to woman. It is
an exception to a universal rule when a man who has reached thirty
without building a nest for himself, has a pleasant shelter spared,
or offered to him elsewhere."

"Yet you would weary, in a week, of the indolent, aimless life led
by most of our youthful heirs expectant and apparent," returned
Rosa. "I remember once telling you how I envied you for having work
and a career. I was youthful then myself--and foolish as immature."

"I recollect!" and there was no more talk for several squares.

Rosa was getting alarmed at the thought of her temerity in reverting
to this incident in their former intercourse, and meditating the
expediency of entering upon an apology, which might, after all,
augment, rather than correct the mischief she had done, when
Frederic accosted her as if there had been no hiatus in the
dialogue.

"I recollect!" he repeated, just as before. "It was upon the back
piazza at Ridgeley, after breakfast on that warm September morning,