her aunt was so much absorbed in asking mr. henry lennox--who hadnot been able to e to dinner--all sorts of questions about his brotherthe bridegroom, his sister the bridesmaid (ing with the captainfrom scotland for the occasion), and various other members of thelennox family, that margaret saw she was no more wanted as shawl-bearer, and devoted herself to the amusement of the other visitors,whom her aunt had for the moment forgotten. almost immediately,edith came in from the back drawing-room, winking and blinking hereyes at the stronger light, shaking back her slightly-ruffled curls, andaltogether looking like the sleeping beauty just startled from herdreams. even in her slumber she had instinctively felt that a lennoxwas worth rousing herself for; and she had a multitude of questions toask about dear janet, the future, unseen sister-in-law, for whom sheprofessed so much. affection, that if margaret had not been very proudshe might hāve almost felt jealous of the mushroom rival. as margaretsank rather more into the background on her aunt\"s joining the

conversation, she saw henry lennox directing his look towards āvacant seat near her; and she knew perfectly well that as soon as edithreleased him from her questioning, he would take possession of thatchair. she had not been quite sure, from her aunt\"s rather confusedaccount of his engagements, whether he would e that night; it wasalmost a surprise td see him; and now she was sure of a pleasantevening. he liked and disliked pretty nearly the same things that shedid. margaret\"s face was lightened up into an honest, open brightness.

by-and-by he came. she received him with a smile which had not atinge of shyness or self-consciousness in it.

\"well, i suppose you are all in the depths of business--ladies\" business, imean. very different to my business, which is the real true lawbusiness. playing with shawls is very different work to drawing upsettlements.

\"ah, i knew how you would be amused to find us all so occupied inadmiring finery. but really indian shawls are very perfect things of theirkind.\"

\"i hāve no doubt they are. their prices are very perfect, too. nothingwanting.\"

the gentlemen came dropping in one by one, and the buzz and noisedeepened in tone.

\"this is your last dinner-party, is it not? there are no more beforethursday?\"

\"no. i think after this evening we shall feel at rest, which i am sure ihāve not done for many weeks; at least, that kind of rest when the handshāve nothing more to do, and all the arrangements are plete for anevent which must occupy one\"s head and heart. i shall be glad to hāvetime to think, and i am sure edith will.\"

\"i am not so sure about her; but i can fancy that you will. whenever ihāve seen you lately, you hāve been carried away by a whirlwind ofsome other person\"s making.\"

\"yes,\" said margaret, rather sadly, remembering the never-endingmotion about trifles that had been going on for more than a monthpast: \"i wonder if a marriage must always be preceded by what you calla whirlwind, or whether in some cases there might not rather be a calmand peaceful time just before it.\"

\"cinderella\"s godmother ordering the trousseau, the wedding-breakfast,writing the notes of invitation, for instance,\" said mr. lennox, laughing.

\"but are all these quite necessary troubles?\" asked margaret, looking upstraight at him for an answer. a sense of indescribable weariness of allthe arrangements for a pretty effect, in which edith had been busied assupreme authority for the last six weeks, oppressed her just now; andshe really wanted some one to help her to a few pleasant, quiet ideas

connected with a marriage.