Ishalltakeitroundtothemall，andtherogueswon'tgetitoutofMEforahundredandfifty；why，itisasbigasanut。"
　　"No，no，Reginald。Moneyhasalwaysmademischiefbetweenyouandme。Youneverhadfiftypoundsyet，youdidn'tfallintotemptation。Doprayletmekeepitforyou；orelsesellit——I
　　knowhowtosell；nobodybetter——andkeepthemoneyforagoodoccasion。"
　　"Isityours，ormine?"saidhe，sulkily。
　　"Whyyours，dear；youearnedit。"
　　"Thengiveitme，please。"Andhealmostforceditoutofherhand。
　　Sonowshesatdownandcriedoverthispieceofgoodluck，forherheartfilledwithforebodings。
　　Helaughedather，butatlasthadthegracetoconsoleher，andassurehershewastormentingherselffornothing。
　　"Timewillshow，"saidshe，sadly。
　　Timedidshow。
　　Threeorfourdayshecame，asusual，tolaughheroutofherforebodings。Butpresentlyhisvisitsceased。Sheknewwhatthatmeant:hewaslivinglikeagentleman，meltinghisdiamond，andplayingherfalsewiththefirstprettyfacehemet。
　　Thisblow，comingaftershehadbeensohappy，struckPhoebeDalestupidwithgrief。Thelineonherhighforeheaddeepened；andatnightshesatwithherhandsbeforeher，sighing，andsighing，andlisteningforthefootstepsthatnevercame。
　　"Oh，Dick!"shesaid，"neveryouloveanyone。Iamawearyofmylife。Andtothinkthat，butforthatdiamond——oh，dear!oh，dear!
　　oh，dear!"
　　ThenDickusedtotryandcomfortherinhisway，andoftenputhisarmroundherneck，andgaveherhisroughbuthonestsympathy。
　　Dick'srareaffectionwasheronedropofcomfort；itwassomethingtorelieveherswellingheart。
　　"Oh，Dick!"shesaidtohimonenight，"IwishIhadmarriedhim。"
　　"What，tobeill-used?"
　　"Hecouldn'tusemeworse。Ihavebeenwife，andmother，andsweetheart，andall，tohim；andtobeleftlikethis。Hetreatsmelikethedirtbeneathhisfeet。"
　　"'Tisyourownfault，Phoebe，partly。Yousaytheword，andI'llbreakeveryboneinhiscarcass。"
　　"What，dohimamischief!Why，I'dratherdiethanharmahairofhishead。Youmustneverliftahandtohim，orIshallhateyou。"
　　"HateME，Phoebe?"
　　"Ay，boy:Ishould。Godforgiveme:'tisnousedeceivingourselves；whenawomanlovesamanshedespises，neveryoucomebetweenthem；there'snoreasoninherlove，soitisincurable。
　　Onecomfort，itcan'tgoonforever；itmustkillme，beforemytimeandsobest。IfIwasonlyamother，andhadalittleReginaldtodandleonmykneeandgloatupon，tillhespenthismoney，andcamebacktome。That'swhyIsaidIwishedIwashiswife。Oh!whydoesGodfillapoorwoman'sbosomwithlove，andnothingtospenditonbutastone；forsurehisheartmustbeone。
　　IfIhadonlysomethingthatwouldletmealwaysloveit，alittletoddlingthingatmyknee，thatwouldalwaysletmelookatit，andloveit，somethingtooyoungtobefalsetome，tooweaktorunawayfrommylong——ing——arms——and——year——ningheart!"Thencameaburstofagony，andmoansofdesolation，tillpoorpuzzledDickblubberedloudlyathergrief；andthenhertearsflowedinstreams。
　　Troubleontrouble。Dickhimselfgotstrangelyoutofsorts，andcomplainedofshivers。Phoebesenthimtobedearly，andmadehimsomewhitewinewheyveryhot。Inthemorninghegotup，andsaidhewasbetter；butafterbreakfasthewasviolentlysick，andsufferedseveralreturnsofnauseabeforenoon。"OnewouldthinkI
　　waspoisoned，"saidhe。
　　Atoneo'clockhewasseizedwithakindofspasminthethroatthatlastedsolongitnearlychokedhim。
　　ThenPhoebegotfrightened，andsenttothenearestsurgeon。Hedidnothurry，andpoorDickhadanotherfrightfulspasmjustashecamein。
　　"Itishysterical，"saidthesurgeon。"Nodiseaseoftheheart，isthere?Givehimalittlesal-volatileeveryhalfhour。"
　　Inspiteofthesal-volatiletheseterriblespasmsseizedhimeveryhalfhour；andnowheusedtospringoffthebedwithacryofterrorwhentheycame；andeachonelefthimweakerandweaker；hehadtobecarriedbackbythewomen。
　　Asad，sickeningfearseizedonPhoebe。SheleftDickwiththemaid，andtyingonherbonnetinamoment，rushedwildlydownthestreet，askingtheneighborsforagreatdoctor，thebestthatcouldbehadformoney。Onesenthereastamile，anotherwest，andshewasalmostdistracted，whenwhoshoulddriveupbutDr。andMrs。Staines，tomakepurchases。Shedidnotknowhisname，butsheknewhewasadoctor。Sherantothewindow，andcried，"Oh，doctor，mybrother!Oh，praycometohim。Oh!oh!"
　　Dr。Stainesgotquickly，butcalmly，out；toldhiswifetowait；
　　andfollowedPhoebeup-stairs。ShetoldhiminafewagitatedwordshowDickhadbeentaken，andallthesymptoms；especiallywhathadalarmedherso，hisspringingoffthebedwhenthespasmcame。
　　Dr。Stainestoldhertoholdthepatientup。Helostnotamoment，butopenedhismouthresolutely，andlookeddown。
　　"Theglottisisswollen，"saidhe:thenhefelthishands，andsaid，withthegrave，terriblecalmofexperience，"Heisdying。"
　　"Oh，no!no!Oh，doctor，savehim!savehim!"
　　"Nothingcansavehim，unlesswehadasurgeononthespot。Yes，I
　　mightsavehim，ifyouhavethecourage:openinghiswindpipebeforethenextspasmishisonechance。"
　　"Openhiswindpipe!Oh，doctor!Itwillkillhim。Letmelookatyou。"
　　Shelookedhardinhisface。Itgaveherconfidence。
　　"Isittheonlychance?"
　　"Theonlyone:anditisflyingwhilewechatter。"
　　"DOIT。"
　　Hewhippedouthislancet。
　　"ButIcan'tlookonit。ItrusttoyouandmySaviour'smercy。"
　　Shefellonherknees，andbowedherheadinprayer。
　　Stainesseizedabasin，putitbythebedside，madeanincisioninthewindpipe，andgotDickdownonhisstomach，withhisfaceoverthebedside。Somebloodran，butnotmuch。"Now!"hecried，cheerfully，"asmallbellows!There'soneinyourparlor。Run。"
　　Phoeberanforit，andatDr。Staines'directionliftedDickalittle，whilethebellows，dulycleansed，weregentlyappliedtotheapertureinthewindpipe，andtheactionofthelungsdelicatelyaidedbythisprimitivebuteffectualmeans。
　　HeshowedPhoebehowtodoit，torealeafoutofhispocket-book，wroteahastydirectiontoanablesurgeonnear，andsenthiswifeoffwithitinthecarriage。
　　Phoebeandheneverleftthepatienttillthesurgeoncamewithalltheinstrumentsrequired；amongsttherest，withabig，tortuouspairofnippers，withwhichhecouldreachtheglottis，andsnipit。Buttheyconsulted，andthoughtitwisertocontinuethesurermethod；andsoalittletubewasneatlyinsertedintoDick'swindpipe，andhisthroatbandaged；andbythisaperturehedidhisbreathingforsomelittletime。
　　Phoebenursedhimlikeamother；andtheterrorandthejoydidhergood，andmadeherlessdesolate。
　　Dickwasonlyjustwellwhenbothofthemweresummonedtothefarm，andarrivedonlyjustintimetoreceivetheirfather'sblessingandhislastsigh。
　　Theirelderbrother，amarriedman，inheritedthefarm，andwasexecutor。PhoebeandDickwereleftfifteenhundredpoundsapiece，onconditionoftheirleavingEnglandandgoingtoNatal。
　　Theyknewdirectlywhatthatmeant。Phoebewastobepartedfromabadman，andDickwastocomfortherfortheloss。
　　WhenthispartofthewillwasreadtoPhoebe，sheturnedfaint，andonlyherhealthandbodilyvigorkeptherfromswooningrightaway。
　　Butsheyielded。"Itisthewillofthedead，"saidshe，"andI
　　willobeyit；for，oh，ifIhadbutlistenedtohimmorewhenhewasalivetoadviseme，Ishouldnotsitherenow，sickatheartanddry-eyed，whenIoughttobethinkingonlyofthegoodfriendthatisgone。"
　　Whenshehadcometothisshebecamefeverishlyanxioustobegone。
　　Shebusiedherselfinpurchasingagriculturalmachines，andstores，andevenstock；andtoseeherpinchingthebeasts'ribstofindtheircondition，andparryingallattemptstocheather，youwouldneverhavebelievedshecouldbealove-sickwoman。
　　Dickkeptheruptothemark。Heonlylefthertobargainwiththemasterofagoodvessel；foritwasnotrifletotakeouthorsesandcows，andmachines，andbalesofcloth，cotton，andlinen。
　　Whenthatwassettledtheycameintotowntogether，andPhoebeboughtshrewdly，atwholesalehousesinthecity，forcash，andwouldhavebargains:andthelittleshopin——Streetwasturnedintoawarehouse。
　　Theywereallardor，ascolonistsshouldbe；andwhatpleasedDickmost，shenevermentionedFalcon；yethelearnedfromthemaidthatworthyhadbeentheretwice，lookingveryseedy。
　　Thedaydrewnear。Dickwasinhighspirits。
　　"Weshallsoonmakeourfortuneoutthere，"hesaid；"andI'llgetyouagoodhusband。"
　　Sheshuddered，butsaidnothing。
　　Theeveningbeforetheyweretosail，Phoebesatalone，inherblackdress，tiredwithwork，andaskingherself，sickatheart，couldsheeverreallyleaveEngland，whenthedooropenedsoftly，andReginaldFalcon，shabbilydressed，camein，andthrewhimselfintoachair。
　　Shestartedupwithascream，thensankdownagain，trembling，andturnedherfacetothewall。
　　"Soyouaregoingtorunawayfromme!"saidhesavagely。
　　"Ay，Reginald，"saidshemeekly。
　　"Thisisyourfinelove，isit?"
　　"Youhavewornitout，dear，"shesaidsoftly，withoutturningherheadfromthewall。
　　"IwishIcouldsayasmuch；but，curseit，everytimeIleaveyouIlearntoloveyoumore。IamneverreallyhappybutwhenIamwithyou。"
　　"Blessyouforsayingthat，dear。IoftenthoughtyouMUSTfindthatoutoneday；butyoutooktoolong。"
　　"Oh，betterlatethannever。Phoebe!CanyouhavethehearttogototheCape，andleavemeallaloneintheworld，withnobodythatreallycaresforme?Surelyyouarenotobligedtogo。"
　　"Yes；myfatherleftDickandmefifteenhundredpoundsapiecetogo:thatwasthecondition。PoorDickloveshisunhappysister。
　　Hewon'tgowithoutme——Ishouldbehisruin——poorDick，thatreallylovesme；andhelaya-dyinghere，andthegooddoctorandme——Godblesshim——webroughthimbackfromthegrave。Ah，youlittleknowwhatIhavegonethrough。Youwerenothere。CatchyoubeingnearmewhenIamintrouble。There，Imustgo。Imustgo。Iwillgo；ifIflingmyselfintotheseahalfway。"
　　"And，ifyoudo，I'lltakeadoseofpoison；forIhavethrownawaythetruestheart，thesweetest，mostunselfish，kindest，generous——
　　oh!oh!oh!"
　　Andhebegantohowl。
　　ThissetPhoebesobbing。"Don'tcry，dear，"shemurmuredthroughhertears；"ifyouhavereallyanyloveforme，comewithme。"
　　"What，leaveEngland，andgotoadesert?"
　　"Lovecanmakeadesertagarden。"
　　"Phoebe，I'lldoanythingelse。I'llswearnottoleaveyourside。
　　I'llneverlookatanyotherfacebutyours。ButIcan'tliveinAfrica。"
　　"Iknowyoucan't。Ittakesalittlereallovetogotherewithapoorgirllikeme。Ah，well，I'dhavemadeyousohappy。Wearenotpooremigrants。Ihaveahorseforyoutoride，andgunstoshoot；andmeandDickwoulddoalltheworkforyou。Butthereareothershereyoucan'tleaveforme。Well，then，good-by，dear。
　　InAfrica，orhere，Ishallalwaysloveyou；andmanyasalttearI
　　shallshedforyouyet，manyaoneIhave，aswellyouknow。Godblessyou。PrayforpoorPhoebe，thatgoesagainstherwilltoAfrica，andleavesherheartwiththee。"
　　ThiswastoomuchevenfortheselfishReginald。Hekneeledatherknees，andtookherhand，andkissedit，andactuallyshedatearortwooverit。
　　Shecouldnotspeak。Hehadnohopeofchangingherresolution；
　　andpresentlyheheardDick'svoiceoutside，sohegotuptoavoidhim。"I'llcomeagaininthemorning，beforeyougo。"
　　"Oh，no!no!"shegasped。"Unlessyouwantmetodieatyourfeet。
　　Iamalmostdeadnow。"
　　Reginaldslippedoutbythekitchen。
　　Dickcamein，andfoundhissisterleaningwithherheadbackagainstthewall。"Why，Phoebe，"saidhe，"whateveristhematter?"andhetookherbytheshoulder。
　　Shemoaned，andhefeltheralllimpandpowerless。
　　"Whatisit，lass?Whateveristhematter?Isitaboutgoingaway?"
　　Shewouldnotspeakforalongtime。
　　Whenshedidspeak，itwastosaysomethingforwhichmymalereadermaynotbeprepared。Butitwillnotsurprisethewomen。
　　"ODick——forgiveme!"
　　"Why，whatfor?"
　　"Forgiveme，orelsekillme:Idon'tcarewhich。"
　　"Ido，though。There，Iforgiveyou。Nowwhat'syourcrime?"
　　"Ican'tgo。Forgiveme!"
　　"Can'tgo?"
　　"Ican't。Forgiveme!"
　　"I'mblessedifIdon'tbelievethatvagabondhasbeenheretormentingofyouagain。"
　　"Oh，don'tmiscallhim。Heispenitent。Yes，Dick，hehasbeenherecryingtome——andIcan'tleavehim。Ican't——Ican't。DearDick!youareyoungandstout-hearted；takeallthethingsover，andmakeyourfortuneoutthere，andleaveyourpoorfoolishsisterbehind。IshouldonlyflingmyselfintothesaltseaifIlefthimnow，andthatwouldbepeacetome，butagrieftothee。"
　　"Lordsake，Phoebe，don'ttalkso。Ican'tgowithoutyou。Anddobutthink，why，thehorsesareonboardbynow，andallthegear。
　　It'smybeliefagoodhidingisallyouwant，tobringyoutoyoursenses；butIhan'tthehearttogiveyouone，worseluck。BlessedifIknowwhattosayordo。"
　　"Iwon'tgo!"criedPhoebe，turningviolentallofasudden。"No，notifIamdraggedtotheshipbythehairofmyhead。Forgiveme!"Andwiththatwordshewasamouseagain。
　　"Eh，butwomenarekittlecattletodrive，"saidpoorDickruefully。Anddownhesatatanonplus，andveryunhappy。
　　Phoebesatopposite，sullen，heart-sick，wretchedtothecore；butdeterminednottoleaveReginald。
　　Thencameaneventthatmighthavebeenforeseen，yetittookthembothbysurprise。
　　Alightstepwasheard，andagraceful，thoughseedy，figureenteredtheroomwithasetspeechinhismouth:"Phoebe，youareright。Ioweittoyourlongandfaithfulaffectiontomakeasacrificeforyou。IwillgotoAfricawithyou。Iwillgototheendoftheworld，soonerthanyoushallsayIcareforanywomanonearthbutyou。"
　　Bothbrotherandsisterweresounpreparedforthis，thattheycouldhardlyrealizeitatfirst。
　　Phoebeturnedhergreat，inquiringeyesonthespeaker，anditwasasighttoseeamazement，doubt，hope，andhappinessanimatingherfeatures，oneafteranother。
　　"Isthisreal?"saidshe。
　　"Iwillsailwithyouto-morrow，Phoebe；andIwillmakeyouagoodhusband，ifyouwillhaveme。"
　　"Thatisspokelikeaman，"saidDick。"Youtakehimathisword，Phoebe；andifheill-usesyououtthere，I'llbreakeveryboneinhisskin。"
　　"Howdareyouthreatenhim?"saidPhoebe。"Youhadbestleavetheroom。"
　　OutwentpoorDick，withthetearinhiseyeatbeingsnubbedso。
　　Whilehewasputtinguptheshutters，Phoebewasmakinglovetoherpseudopenitent。"Mydear，"saidshe，"trustyourselftome。Youdon'tknowallmyloveyet；forIhaveneverbeenyourwife，andI
　　wouldnotbeyourjade；thatistheonlythingIeverrefusedyou。
　　Trustyourselftome。Why，youneverfoundhappinesswithothers；
　　tryitwithme。Itshallbethebestday'sworkyoueverdid，goingoutintheshipwithme。Youdon'tknowhowhappyalovingwifecanmakeherhusband。I'llpetyououtthereasmanwasneverpetted。Andbesides，itisn'tforlife；Dickandmewillsoonmakeafortuneoutthere，andthenI'llbringyouhome，andseeyouspenditanywayyoulikebutone。Oh，howIloveyou!doyoulovemealittle?Iworshipthegroundyouwalkon。Iadoreeveryhairofyourhead!"Hernoblearmwentroundhisneckinamoment，andthegrandeurofherpassionelectrifiedhimsofarthathekissedheraffectionately，ifnotquitesowarmlyasshedidhim:andsoitwasallsettled。Themaidwasdischargedthatnightinsteadofthemorning，andReginaldwastooccupyherbed。Phoebewentup-
　　stairswithherheartliterallyonfire，topreparehissleeping-
　　room，andsoDickandReginaldhadaword。
　　"Isay，Dick，howlongwillthisvoyagebe?"
　　"Twomonths，sir，Iamtold。"
　　"Pleasetocastyoureyesonthissuitofmine。Don'tyouthinkitisratherseedy——togotoAfricawith?Why，Ishalldisgraceyouonboardtheship。Isay，Dick，lendmethreesovs。，justtobuyanewsuitattheslop-shop。"
　　"Well，brother-in-law，"saidDick，"Idon'tseeanyharminthat。
　　I'llgoandfetchthemforyou。"
　　WhatdoesthissensibleDickdobutgoup-stairstoPhoebe，andsay，"Hewantsthreepoundstobuyasuit；amItolendithim?"
　　Phoebewasshakingandpattingherpenitent'spillow。Shedroppeditonthebedindismay。"Oh，Dick，notforalltheworld!Why，ifhehadthreesovereigns，he'ddesertmeatthewater'sedge。
　　Oh，Godhelpme，howIlovehim!Godforgiveme，howImistrusthim!GoodDick!kindDick!saywehavesuitsofclothes，andwe'llfithimlikeaprince，asheoughttobe，onboardship；butnotashillingofmoney:and，mydear，don'tputtheweightonME。Youunderstand?"
　　"Ay，mistress，Iunderstand。"
　　"GoodDick!"
　　"Oh，allright!andthendon'tyousnapthisheregood，kindDick'snoseoffatawordagain。"
　　"Never。Igetwildifanybodythreatenshim。ThenI'mnotmyself。
　　Forgivemyhastytongue。YouknowIloveyou，dear!"
　　"Oh，ay!youlovemewellenough。Butseemstomeyourloveispreciouslikecoldveal，andyourloveforthatchapishotroastbeef。"
　　"Ha，ha，ha，ha!"
　　"Oh，yecanlaughnow，canye?"
　　"Ha，ha，ha!"
　　"Well，themoreofthatmusic，thebetterforme。"
　　"Yes，dear；butgoandtellhim。"
　　Dickwentdown，andsaid，"I'vegotnomoneytospare，tillIgettotheCape；butPhoebehasgotaboxfullofsuits，andImadeherpromisetokeepitout。Shewilldressyoulikeaprince，youmaybesure。"
　　"Oh，thatisit，isit?"saidReginalddryly。
　　Dickmadenoreply。
　　Atnineo'clocktheywereonboardthevessel；attensheweighedanchor，andasteam-vesseldrewherdowntheriveraboutthirtymiles，thencastoff，andlefthertothesouth-easterlybreeze。
　　Upwentsailaftersail；shenoddedherloftyhead，andglidedawayforAfrica。
　　PhoebeshedafewnaturaltearsatleavingtheshoresofOldEngland；buttheysoondried。Shewasdemurelyhappy，watchingherprize，andaskingherselfhadshereallysecuredit，andallinafewhours?
　　Theyhadaprosperousvoyage:weremarriedatCapeTown，andwentupthecountry，bagandbaggage，lookingoutforagoodbargaininland。ReginaldwasmountedonanEnglishhorse，andallowedtozigzagabout，andshoot，andplay，whilehiswifeandbrother-in-
　　lawmarchedslowlywiththeircavalcade。
　　Whatwithair，exercise，wholesomefood，andsmilesofwelcome，anddeliciouspetting，thisegotistenjoyedhimselffinely。Headmittedasmuch。Sayshe，oneeveningtohiswife，whosatbyhimforthepleasureofseeinghimfeed，"Itsoundsabsurd；butIneverwassohappyinallmylife。"
　　Atthat，thecelestialexpressionofherpastoralface，andthematernalgesturewithwhichshedrewherpet'sheadtoherqueenlybosom，wasapictureforcelibacytognashtheteethat。
　　CHAPTERIX。
　　Duringthisperiod，themostremarkablethingsthathappenedtoDr。
　　andMrs。StaineswerereallythosewhichIhaverelatedasconnectingthemwithPhoebeDaleandherbrother；towhichIwillnowaddthatDr。StainesdetailedDick'scaseinaremarkablepaper，entitled"OedemaoftheGlottis，"andshowedhowthepatienthadbeenbroughtbackfromthegravebytracheotomyandartificialrespiration。Hereceivedahighpriceforthisarticle。
　　Totellthetruth，hewascarefulnottoadmitthatitwashewhohadopenedthewindpipe；sothecreditofthewholeoperationwasgiventoMr。Jenkyn；andthisgentlemanwasnaturallypleased，andthrewagoodmanyconsultationfeesinStaines'sway。
　　TheLucases，tohisgreatcomfort——forhehadaninstinctiveaversiontoMissLucas——leftLondonforParisinAugust，anddidnotreturnalltheyear。
　　InFebruaryhereviewedhisyear'sworkandtwelvemonths'
　　residenceintheBijou。Thepecuniaryresultwas，outgoings，ninehundredandfiftypounds；income，fromfees，twohundredandeightypounds；writing，ninetypounds。
　　HeshowedthesefigurestoMrs。Staines，andaskedherifshecouldsuggestanydiminutionofexpenditure。Couldshedowithlesshousekeepingmoney?
　　"Oh，impossible!Youcannotthinkhowtheservantseat；andtheywon'ttouchourhome-madebread。"
　　"Thefools!Why?"
　　"Oh，becausetheythinkitcostsusless。Servantsseemtomealwaystohatethepeoplewhosebreadtheyeat。"
　　"Morelikelyitistheirvanity。Nothingthatisnotpaidforbeforetheireyesseemsgoodenoughforthem。Well，dear，thebakerswillrevengeus。Butisthereanyotheritemwecouldreduce?Dress?"
　　"Dress!Why，Ispendnothing。"
　　"Forty-fivepoundsthisyear。"
　　"Well，Ishallwantnonenextyear。"
　　"Well，then，Rosa，asthereisnothingwecanreduce，Imustwritemore，andtakemorefees，orweshallbeinthewrongbox。Onlyeighthundredandsixtypoundsleftofourlittlecapital；and，mind，wehavenotanothershillingintheworld。Onecomfort，thereisnodebt。Wepayreadymoneyforeverything。"
　　Rosacoloredalittle，butsaidnothing。
　　Stainesdidhispartnobly。Heread；hewrote；hepacedtheyard。
　　Heworehisoldclothesinthehouse；hetookoffhisnewoneswhenhecamein。Hewasallgenius，drudgery，patience。
　　HowPhoebeDalewouldhavevaluedhim，co-operatedwithhim，andpettedhim，ifshehadhadthegoodlucktobehiswife!
　　Theseasoncameback，andwithitMissLucas，towingabrilliantbride，Mrs。Vivian，young，rich，pretty，andgay，withawaistyoucouldspan，andathirstforpleasure。
　　ThisladywasthefirstthatevermadeRosadownrightjealous。Sheseemedtohaveeverythingthefemaleheartcoulddesire；andshewasNo。1withMissLucasthisyear。Now，RosawasNo。1lastseason，andhadweaklyimaginedthatwastolastforever。ButMissLucashadalwaysasortoffemaleflame，anditneverlastedtwoseasons。
　　RosadidnotcaresoverymuchforMissLucasbefore，exceptasaconvenientfriend；butnowshewasmortifiedtotearsatfindingMissLucasmademorefusswithanotherthanwithher。
　　ThisfoolishfeelingspurredhertoattemptarivalrywithMrs。
　　Vivian，intheverythingswhererivalrywashopeless。
　　MissLucasgavebothladiesticketsforaflower-show，whereallthegreatfolkweretobe，princesandprincesses，etc。
　　"ButIhavenothingtowear，"sighedRosa。
　　"Thenyoumustgetsomething，andminditisnotpink，please；forwemustnotclashincolors。YouknowI'mdark，andpinkbecomesme。TheselfishyoungbrutewasnothalfsodarkasRosa。MineiscomingfromWorth's，inParis，onpurpose。AndthisnewMadameCie，ofRegentStreet，hassuchaduckofabonnet，justcomefromParis。Shewantedtomakemeonefromit；butItoldherIwouldhavenonebutthepatternbonnet——andsheknowsverywellshecan'tpassacopyoffonme。Letmedriveyouupthere，andyoucanseemine，andorderone，ifyoulikeit。"
　　"Oh，thankyou!letmejustrunandspeaktomyhusbandfirst。"
　　Staineswaswritingforthebarelife，andanumberofGermanbooksabouthim，slavingtomakeafewpounds——whenincomesthebuoyantfigureandbeamingfacehissouldelightedin。
　　Helaiddownhiswork，toenjoythesunbeamoflove。
　　"Oh，darling，I'veonlycomeinforaminute。Wearegoingtoaflower-showonthe13th；everybodywillbesobeautifullydressed——
　　especiallythatMrs。Vivian。Ihavegottenyardsofbeautifulbluesilkinmywardrobe，butthatisnotenoughtomakeawholedress——everythingtakessomuchstuffnow。MadameCiedoesnotcaretomakeupdressesunlessshefindsthesilk，butMissLucassaysshethinks，toobligeafriendofhers，shewoulddoitforonceinaway。Youknow，dear，itwouldonlytakeafewyardsmore，anditwouldlastasadinner-dressforeversolong。"
　　Thensheclaspedhimroundtheneck，andleanedherheaduponhisshoulder，andlookedlovinglyupinhisface。"IknowyouwouldlikeyourRosatolookaswellasMrs。Vivian。"
　　"Nooneeverlooksaswell，inmyeyes，asmyRosa。There，thedresswilladdnothingtoyourbeauty；butgoandgetit，topleaseyourself；itisveryconsiderateofyoutohavechosensomethingofwhichyouhavetenyards，already。See，dear，I'mtoreceivetwentypoundsforthisarticle；ifresearchwaspaiditoughttobeahundred。Ishalladditalltoyourallowancefordressesthisyear。Sonodebt，mind；butcometomeforeverything。"
　　ThetwoladiesdroveofftoMadameCie's，aprettyshoplinedwithdarkvelvetandlacedraperies。
　　Inthebackroomtheywerepackingalovelybridaldress，goingoffthefollowingSaturdaytoNewYork。
　　"What，sendfromAmericatoLondon?"
　　"Oh，dear，yes!"exclaimedMadameCie。"TheAmericanladiesareexcellentcustomers。Theybuyeverythingofthebest，andthemostexpensive。"
　　"Ihavebroughtanewcustomer，"saidMissLucas；"andIwantyoutodoagreatfavor，andthatistomatchabluesilk，andmakeheraprettydressfortheflower-showonthe13th。"
　　MadameCieproducedawhitemuslinpolonaise，whichshewasjustgoingtosendhometothePrincess——，tobewornovermauve。
　　"Oh，howprettyandsimple!"exclaimedMissLucas。
　　"Ihavesomelaceexactlylikethat，"saidMrs。Staines。
　　"Thenwhydon'tyouhaveapolonaise?Thelaceistheonlyexpensivepart，themuslinisamerenothing；anditissuchausefuldress，itcanbewornoveranysilk。"
　　ItwasagreedMadameCiewastosendforthebluesilkandthelace，andthedressesweretobetriedononThursday。
　　OnThursday，asRosawentgaylyintoMadameCie'sbackroomtohavethedressestriedon，MadameCiesaid，"Youhaveabeautifullaceshawl，butitwantsarranging；infiveminutesIcouldastonishyouwithwhatIcoulddotothatshawl。"
　　"Oh，praydo，"saidMrs。Staines。
　　Thedressmakerkeptherword。Bythetimethebluedresswastriedon，MadameCiehad，withtheaidofafewpins，plaits，andabowofblueribbon，transformedthehalflaceshawlintooneofthesmartestanddistinguethingsimaginable；butwhenthebillcameinatChristmas，forthatfiveminutes'laboranddistinguetouch，shechargedonepoundeight。
　　MadameCiethentoldtheladies，inanartfullyconfidentialtone，shehadaquantityofblacksilkcominghome，whichshehadpurchasedconsiderablybelowcostprice；andthatsheshouldliketomakethemeachadress——notforherownsake，buttheirs——assheknewtheywouldnevermeetsuchabargainagain。"Youknow，MissLucas，"shecontinued，"wedon'twantourmoney，whenweknowourcustomers。Christmasissoonenoughforus。"
　　"Christmasisalongtimeoff，"thoughttheyoungwife，"nearlytenmonths。IthinkI'llhaveablacksilk，MadameCie；butImustnotsayanythingtothedoctoraboutitjustyet，orhemightthinkmeextravagant。"