“Mike is my brother,” replied Ran. “He shall share with me in any way he likes. He shall go to England and live with us if he likes. Or stay here, and enter into any business that he may choose and be fit for.” Col. Moseley looked at Ran, and thought him the most unselfish, the most unworldly individual he had ever seen in all the days of his life. And so Ran was. The colonel soon took leave, expressing his pleasure in the prospect of meeting his friends at Mr. Samuel Walling’s that evening. “And now, young man, that I have shown you the way to your sister’s abiding-place, you will not need my guidance any longer. Good-day to you,” he said to Mike as he left the room. “Good-day, and many thanks for your shivility, sir,” returned Mike. It occurred to Ran then that perhaps Mike, in the simplicity of his heart, was staying longer than was convenient in the narrow quarters of his cousins; so very soon he asked him: “Where are Longman and old Dandy staying? I should like to see them.” “Oh, they are at Markiss’, away down on Water Street. They’d be proud to see you, Ran. Come with me, and I will take ye straight to them.” This was exactly what Ran wished. He arose and bade the two young women good-morning, and left the house with his friend. Palma and Judy began to think of making preparations for the family dinner party at Mrs. Walling’s. Palma took out her crimson cashmere dress and gave it to Mrs. Pole to be brushed and shaken, sponged and pressed, and looked over her small stock of lace and gloves. Judy looked down on her own brown traveling dress and said ruefully: “This will never do to wear this evening. I have got a pretty dark blue French merino; but it is in my trunk at the hotel, and sure it might as well be in Aigypt—Egypt, that is.” “Col. Moseley will be sure to send the trunk to you,” suggested Palma. And even while she spoke a noise was heard outside and a knock came to the door, and the janitor entered the parlor, followed by a porter with the girl’s trunk on his shoulders. When he put it down on the floor Stuart paid and discharged him, and shortly after left the house on his daily hopeless search for employment. That evening Stuart, Palma, Hay, Judith, Col. and Mrs. Moseley, Mr. James and Miss Betty Moseley met at dinner at Mr. Samuel Walling’s. A happier party never gathered around a table. After dinner the ladies withdrew to the drawing-room, leaving the gentlemen to their wine. In the drawing-room Mrs. Moseley introduced the subject of Ran and Judy’s proposed marriage. She said to Judy: “My dear, we are all friends here—intimate friends, indeed—so it is quite proper that I should speak plainly. My young favorite, Mr. Hay, has taken counsel with me concerning his wish to marry you and take you to Europe with him. Am I right in supposing that this is your wish also?” “Yis—yes, madam,” replied Judy, modestly lowering her eyes.