of which he had never thought. Meri
vale was frightened. He saw his income
would not be more than sufficient to inert
two-thirds of his outlays. Rut he dis
liked, so soon alter maniage, speaking toJ
Lllen on the necessity ol economy. He
resolved first to sec what he could do in
the work of retrenchment; and, by way
of beginning, he give up the contempla
ted purchase of a gig and horse, and made
up his mind to visit his patients on foot.
This would be very fatiguing, but there
was no help for it.
My dear,' said his wife, a few months
after marriage, 'Agnes Riddle is going to
be married ; and as she was one of my
bridesmaids, I should like lo give her a
parly. Don't you think it would be no
more than right ?'
'Indeed, my dear, I can't say,' said
Merivale, hesitatingly.
It's the custom, you know.'
'I believe it is,' said Merivale, and
though he wished, he could not muster
courage to tell his wife ho could not af
ford the expense. 'Certainly, my dear,
we must give Agnes a party.'
'I knew yon would say so; and now
will go and see Agnes.'
Merivale heard no more of the party
until the next week. In the mean time
Agues had been married.
