part of that very forenoon in her house, mamma Jones had not, in truth, communicated one word of the supposed treat in store for her, Mr. Clarence Van Trump presented himself at quite an early hour at the widow's door, not in the rather rickety chaise upon leathern springs, in which the patroon made his manorial progresses, but in a light wagon, which our young gentleman, knowing the style of equip age in use where he was about to go in pursuance of duty, had caused to be forwarded all the way from the city. Was it the showy elegance of the carriage, or the high-spirited horse which had brought it to the door with such marvellous celerity, and stood pawing the dust, impatient to be gone again; or the subtle charm of Mr. Clarence's moustache and pleading manner, which made the invitation now irresistible? No; Mrs. Jones, be it said, aided by good-natured and unsuspecting Miss Simmons, had carried the day beforehand. The arguments that had been used were not very strong of their kind, and were chiefly confined to truisms. They said a ride in a nice wagon with so pleasant a companion, was not to be picked up in the streets; that she, Mary Jones, could of course walk at any time; that Thomas Elkhart would not, of course, be so unreasonable as to be offended, even if she had promised to walk with him this afternoon, and much more of the sort. After all, it has not been said that Miss Mary Jones was perfect, but only that Elkhart believed her so. She was very pretty and amiable, and not naturally coquettish; but who could resist the fascinating influences concentred in Mr. Clarence Van Trump? And what was it, Mr. Clarence, that you said in the course of your drive, which so turned, for a time, the not over-strong little head beside you? And what was there in the face of young Elkhart, when you two met him taking his perforce solitary walk, which stung you into forgetting your late resolve to patronize this native artist, and caused you to commence that methodical flirtation which ended somewhat otherwise than you anticipated?
Mr. Thomas Elkhart had, in the meanwhile, indeed, enjoyed a tête-a-tête interview with the mother of the young lady in lieu of her absent self, and may not have been the better in temper for a rather odd conversation, in which Mrs. J. had been chief speaker. He had learned with surprise, and perhaps, for the first time, something
