"For heaven's sake, don't be long!" said her husband, in an irritable tone; "it's striking six and three quarters. _Is_ dinner to be upon the table at seven o'clock, or is it not?" "Punctually." "Then, Miss--Miss--I beg your pardon--and Mrs. Melwyn, I _hope_ you will be ready to take your usual place at table." They heard no more; for Mrs. Melwyn closed the door, with the air of one escaping--and, looking uncomfortable and half frightened, led the way up-stairs. It was a pretty, cheerful little room, of which she opened the door; and a pleasant fire was blazing in the grate. The bed was of white dimity, trimmed with a border of colored chintz, as were the window-curtains; the carpet quite new, and uncommonly pretty; chairs, dressing-table, writing-table, all very neat and elegant; and the tables comfortably covered each with its proper appendages. It was quite a pretty little den. Mrs. Melwyn had taken much pleasure in the fitting up of this small room, which was next to her own dressing-room. She had fancied herself going to receive into it a second Catherine: and though the very moderate amount of money of which she had the power of disposing as she pleased, and the noisy remonstrances and objections of Randall, had prevented her indulging in many petty fancies which would have amused and occupied her pleasantly since the dismal day of Catherine's wedding, still she had persisted, contrary to her wont, in having in some degree her own way. So, in spite of all Randall could do, she had discarded the ugly old things--which the lady's maid, excessively jealous of this new comer, declared were more than too good for such as her--and had substituted this cheerful simplicity; and the air of freshness and newness cast over every thing rendered it particularly pleasing. "What a beautiful little room!" Lettice could not help exclaiming, looking excessively delighted. She liked pretty things, and elegant little comforts as well as any body, did Lettice, though they seldom fell to her share, because she was always for giving them up to other people. "Do you like it, my dear?" said Mrs. Melwyn, in what Lettice thought the sweetest, softest voice she had ever heard. "I have taken great pleasure in getting it ready for you; I shall be glad, indeed, if you can make yourself happy in it." "Happy! Who could help being happy in such a paradise?" "And with such a sweet, gentle, charming person as Mrs. Melwyn," mentally added Lettice. "What matters it how cross the poor old general is," thought she.