even after her own death, her daughter should still remain
abroad for education; nor was Emilia ordered back until she
brought down some scandal by a romantic attempt to elope from
boarding-school with a Swiss servant. It was by weaning her
heart from this man that Philip Malbone had earned the thanks
of the whole household during his hasty flight through Europe.
He possessed some skill in withdrawing the female heart from an
undesirable attachment, though it was apt to be done by
substituting another. It was fortunate that, in this case, no
fears could be entertained. Since his engagement Philip had not
permitted himself so much as a flirtation; he and Hope were to
be married soon; he loved and admired her heartily, and had an
indifference to her want of fortune that was quite amazing,
when we consider that he had a fortune of his own.



III.

A DRIVE ON THE AVENUE.

OLDPORT AVENUE is a place where a great many carriages may be
seen driving so slowly that they might almost be photographed
without halting, and where their occupants already wear the
dismal expression which befits that process. In these fine
vehicles, following each other in an endless file, one sees
such faces as used to be exhibited in ball-rooms during the
performance of quadrilles, before round dances came in,--faces
marked by the renunciation of all human joy. Sometimes a faint
suspicion suggests itself on the Avenue, that these torpid