we will freeze on the sofa iu winter,
over there, and be broiled by the sun In
summer. And my dear 1 do not
comprehend I was under the Impres
sion this was our own, not your moth
er's room. I hope I am at liberty to
use my own taste and judgment iu its
arrangement, and 1 trust she has not
constituted herself my guardian."
He is going excitedly to work to re
arrange things. Charlotte clutches his
arm tremblingly.
"O dear, dear Charley! You will
offend mamma! Please, for my sake,
leave them just for to-day.''
She put her little hands on his cheeks
and her rosy lips to his mouth. The
tempter has couquered he clasps her
in his arms.
"Well, for your sake, my angel, I will
leave them; but I do hope your mamma
will please to mind her own affairs, you
know, darling."
It is meal time. The mother-in-law
sails in and seats herself at the table
with silent grandeur. She nips her
food. Simson is delighted when the
meal Is over, trusting the highborn lady
will betake herself to ber own room,
for he is vexed in spite of himself at
her remarkable industry during his
absence to-dav.
Kven his wife acts somewhat subdued
in her presence.
Good gracious! is it possible? The
lady takes a seat on the sofa, draws her
knitting out of her pocket, puts on her
spectacles, and assumes a position, com
fortable and resigned, as if she had
taken up her quarters on the cozy sofa
for the next year and a half.
Simson stares at the knitting in
speechless agony. No doubt of it, the
old lady is going to grant them the
pleasure ot her company the whole
evening.
