“Calls! how provoking that I should have forgotten all about it; and what is still more so, have sent the carriage driver into the country, to purchase some necessary articles for family use; which, however, I could easily have done without, had I recollected our intended excursion. Never mind, Clara, my dear, you shall not be disappointed, for after dinner we will go shopping, for I have some purchases to make which you shall assist me to select.” But the walk did not afford much pleasure to Clara, for it was nothing more than a continued search for articles in which Mrs. Cleveland was too fastidious to be pleased, and they returned home in the evening, Mrs. Cleveland much fatigued, where they found that Mr. Cleveland had just arrived before them. “Well, Clara,” observed he, as they took their places at the tea-table, “you have me to thank that after your long walk, you have not to be kept up to-night till ten o’clock with company: Mr. Hambden and Mr. Lester asked leave to call, but I saw you and Florence out, and concluded that you would be too much fatigued to see them this evening; so I made some excuse. They are very fine young men, by the way, and you must attempt a conquest the first time you happen in company with them.” Now, although Clara had no idea of attempting a conquest, yet naturally fond of company, she would have been glad to have seen the gentlemen mentioned, and wished that Mr. Cleveland had not been so solicitous for her comfort; she therefore made no answer, but Mrs. Cleveland exclaimed, “Why, Cousin Clara! don’t you recollect the very handsome and _distingué_ looking young man you met this evening, and admired so much; well, that was Mr. Lester; I have no doubt the impression was returned. Henry, why didn’t you let them call?” “Why, my dear, I thought that you and Cousin Clara were so happy in each other’s company, that I disliked to introduce any one else into our quiet circle; I think, now that Cousin Clara is with us, we ought to be quite sufficient for our own happiness: for when I am engaged in business I feel assured that my Florence is not alone, and I hope that her cousin will become so much attached to the city, that she will hereafter spend every winter with us.”