"He ought to remember the difference of our positions," said Mrs B., drawing herself up with much dignity. "Certainly, certainly!" said I. "And the governor's election is also going desperate bad," said Mr Bowsends. "And then Margaret, to think of her infatuation! Certainly she is a good, gentle creature; but five hundred thousand dollars!" This was Mrs Bowsends. "By no means to be despised," said I. The five hundred thousand dollars touched a responsive chord in the heart of the papa. "Five hundred thousand," repeated he. "Yes, certainly; but what's the use of that? All nonsense. Those girls would ruin a Croesus." "You need not talk, I'm sure," retorted mamma. "Think of all your bets and electioneering." "You understand nothing about that," replied her husband angrily. "Interests of the country--congress--public good--must be supported. Who would do it if we"-- "Did not bet," thought I. "You are a friend of the family," said Mrs Bowsends, "and I hope you will"-- "Apropos," interrupted her loving husband. "How has your cotton crop turned out? You might consign it to me. How many bales?" "A hundred; and a few dozen hogsheads of tobacco." "Some six thousand dollars per annum," muttered the papa musingly; "hm, hm." "As to that," said I negligently, "I have sufficient capital in my hands to increase the one hundred bales to two hundred another year." "Two hundred! two hundred!" The man's eyes glistened approvingly. "That might do. Not so bad. Well, Arthurine is a good girl. We'll see, my dear Mr Howard--we'll see. Yes, yes--come here every evening--whenever you like. You know Arthurine is always glad to see you." "And Mr and Mrs Bowsends?" asked I. "Are most delighted," replied the couple, smiling graciously. I bowed, agreeably surprised, and took my departure. I was nevertheless not over well pleased with a part of Mr Bowsends' last speech. It looked rather too much as if my affectionate father-in-law that was to be, wished to balance his lost bets with my cotton bales; and, as I thought of it, my gorge rose at the selfishness of my species, and more especially at the stupid impudent egotism of Bowsends and the thousands who resemble him. To all such, even their children are nothing but so many bales of goods, to be bartered, bought, and sold. And this man belongs to the _haut-ton_ of New York! Five-and-twenty years ago he went about with a tailor's measure in his pocket--now a leader on 'Change, and member of twenty committees and directorships.