centto say. After some hesitation upon
a variety of topics, he judged it safe to
admire the carpet —from the carpet, a
natural transition was made to the pic
tures, and from the pictures to the win
dow curtains —the window curtains
led to the arm chair, the arm chair to
j the sofa, and the sofa to a pair of little
: bodies in alabaster on the chminey
place.
“Charming! delightful!” exclaimed
Paul —not exactly knowing whether
he meant to be understood of the arm
chair, or some other articles of furni
ilure.
“An’t they?” said the widow.
“What Aave I said again?” quoth
Paul to himself, beginning to tremble
with apprehension. “The furniture is
in good taste, Mrs. Wilful—very ele
gant —very fine.”
“All vanity, Mr. Pliant,” said the
widow, affecting a very solemn look
—’’these things are all vanity.”
“Oh yes —you are quite right—all
vanity” replied Paul, taking a spoon
ful of whipped cream, and finding he
had got nothing in his mouth.
“Ah! Mr. Pliant!” said the widow,
languishingly.
“Yes, exactly so,” returned Paul.
“Exactly oow; Mr.. Pliant, pardon
me. I did’nt perceive the drift of your
observation.”
■ “Ilog pardon, ma’m —I was only
saying—as you remarked, that every
thing was remarkably fine in this house
of yours, and that all is vanity, or rath
er I should say, that one thing is need
ful.”
“Ah, Mr. Pliant, I understand you
—you mean the furniture is complete
except one article.”
“Exactly so. Yes—that is—if you
think any thing is wanting,” replied
Paul in considerable perturbation, and
glad to escape the appearance of find
ing fault, by any sort of equivoque.
The widow clapped her handker
chief to her face, and exhibitod or pre
tended to exhibit, a slight emotion.
