(every third girl in the country was his cousin, once, twice, or
thrice-removed, and none resented the liberties he, as a married
man, was pleased to take), anon whispering in the ear of a bashful
maiden interrogatories as to har latest admirer or rumored
engagement; oftenest leaning upon the back of his wife's chair, a
listener to what was going on, his hand lightly touching her
lace-veiled shoulders, until her head gradually inclined against his
arm. They were a loving couple, and not shy of testifying their
consent to the world.

"They remind me irresistibly of a pair of plump babies sucking at
opposite ends of a stick of sugar candy!" Rosa Tazewell said aside
to the hostess, as the latter paused beside her on her way through
the hall to the parlor.

"The candy is very sweet!" replied Mrs. Aylett, charitably, but
laughing at the conceit--the low, musical laugh that was at once
girlish in its gleefulness, yet perfectly well-bred.

Mr. Aylett heard it from his stand on the parlor-rug, and sent a
quick glance in that direction. It was slow in returning to the
group surrounding him. He had married a beautiful woman--so said
everybody--and a fascinating, as even everybody's wife did not
dispute. In his sight, she was simply and entirely worthy of the
distinction he had bestowed upon her; an adornment to Ridgeley and
his name. From their wedding-day, his deportment toward her had been
the same as it was to-night--attentive, but never officious;
deferential, yet far removed from servility; a manner that, without
approximating uxoriousness, yet impressed the spectator with the
conviction that she was with him first and dearest among women; a