destined never to reach him. The wily Eugenia, to whom Dora
applied for an envelope, unhesitatingly showing what she had
written, knew better than to send that note across the sea, and
feigning the utmost astonishment, she said: "I am surprised, Dora,
that after your mother's ill-success, you should think of writing
to Uncle Nat. He is a suspicious, miserly old fellow, and will
undoubtedly think you are after his money!"

"I wouldn't send it for the world, if I supposed he'd fancy such a
thing as that," answered Dora, her eyes filling with tears.

"Of course you wouldn't," continued Eugenia, perceiving her
advantage and following it up. "You can do as you like, but my
advice is that you do not send it; let him write to _you_
first if he wishes to open a correspondence!"

This decided the matter, and turning sadly away, Dora went back to
her chamber, hiding the letter and the lock of hair in the old
green trunk.

"How can you be so utterly void of principle?" asked Alice, as
Dora quitted the room; and Eugenia replied: "It isn't a lack of
principle, it's only my good management. I have my plans, and I do
not intend they shall be frustrated by that foolish letter, which
would, of course, be followed by others of the same kind. Now I am
perfectly willing that Uncle Nat should divide his fortune between
us and Dora, but unfortunately he is a _one idea_ man, and
should he conceive a fancy for our cousin, our hopes are blasted
forever; so I don't propose letting him do any such thing. Mother
has given up the correspondence to me, and I intend making the old