as he was ready for his daily supply of chocolate caramels.

Mr. Verne had married when very young, and was still in the prime of
manhood. He was not handsome; but an intelligent, open countenance
was the most pleasing attraction in his face. One could look upon
him the second time without a feeling of dislike or even
indifference.

But there is another important personage of whom we must make
mention--the mistress of the Verne mansion. She is, to say it in as
few words as possible, an out-and-out woman of the world--one who
never says or does anything without considering what will be the
world's opinion of her, and one who never says or does anything
unless there be some selfish motive at the bottom of it; one who
lives only for the gratification of her own selfish ends, so far as
her friends and family are concerned, and whose chief delight is
show, display and social greatness.

It may be said that when Mr. Verne married his child-wife, who had
been petted and spoiled by her elders, he made much allowance for
her daily short-comings, and fondly hoped that he might bend the
impulsive nature to his will; but when he saw the great mistake he
had made, he calmly bowed his head in submission to the decrees of
fate, and labored more diligently to set a good example before his
children. When vainly remonstrating with his wife, upon the
increasing gaiety into which she plunged so wildly, he always found
encouragement from the sympathetic Marguerite; and when retired from
the noise and din of the drawing-room, his favorite amusement was a
game of chess, with the latter for partner. It was then that
Marguerite's deep violet eyes would sparkle and her face glow with