people, who, of course, are not all as refined as the Deanes. I'll
speak to Howard about it immediately."

"Speak to me about what?" asked Mr. Hastings, who had entered the
parlor in time to hear the last words of his wife.

Very briefly Ella stated to him her plan of giving a large party
as soon as a sufficient number of the village people had called.

"You know you wish me to be sociable with them," she continued, as
she saw the slightly comical expression of her husband's face;
"and how can I do it better than by inviting them to my house?"

"I am perfectly willing for the party," answered Mr. Hastings,
"but I do rather wonder what has so soon changed your mind."

"Oh, nothing much," returned Ella, "only the people don't seem
half as vulgar as mama said they would. I wish you could see
Eugenia Deane. She's perfectly magnificent--wears a diamond ring,
Valenciennes lace, and all that. Her mother is very wealthy, isn't
she?"

"I have never supposed so--if you mean the widow Deane, who lives
at the place called 'Locust Grove,' answered Mr. Hastings; and
Ella continued, "Yes, she is, I am sure, from the way Eugenia
talked. They keep servants, I know, for she spoke of a waiting-
maid. Then, too, they have an old bachelor uncle in India, with a
million or more, and these two young ladies will undoubtedly
inherit it all at his death."