"Her name? Let me see--Miss--Blackwell--Blackmer--_Blackheart_. It sounds the most like Blackheart." "What a queer name," said Kate; "but tell us what opportunity has Mr. Hamilton had of renewing his early acquaintance with the lady." "Don't you know he's been East this winter?" asked Lenora. "Yes, as far as Albany," answered Carrie. "Well," continued Lenora, "'twas during his Eastern trip that the matter was settled; but pray don't repeat it from me, except it be to Maggie, who I dare say, will feel glad to be relieved of her heavy responsibilities--but as I live, Carrie, you are crying! What is the matter?" But Carrie made no answer, and for a time wept on in silence. She could not endure the thought that another would so soon take the place of her lost mother in the household and in the affections of her father. There was, besides, something exceedingly annoying in the manner of her who communicated the intelligence, and secretly Carrie felt glad that the dreaded "Miss Blackheart" had, of course, no Lenora to bring with her! "Do you know all this to be true?" asked Kate. "Perfectly true," said Lenora. "We have friends living in the vicinity of the lady, and there can be no mistake, except, indeed, in the name, which I am not sure is right!" Then hastily kissing Carrie, the little hussy went away, very well satisfied with her afternoon's call. As soon as she was out of hearing Margaret entered her sister's room, and on noticing Carrie's flushed cheek and red eyes, inquired the cause. Immediately Kate told her what Lenora had said, but instead of weeping, as Carrie had done, she betrayed no emotion whatever. "Why, Maggie, ain't you sorry?" asked Carrie. "No, I am glad," returned Mag. "I've seen all along that sooner or later father would make himself ridiculous, and I'd rather he'd marry forty women from the East, than one woman not far from here whom I know." All that afternoon Mag tripped with unwonted gaiety about the house. A weight was lifted from her heart, for in her estimation any one whom her father would marry was preferable to Mrs. Carter. * * * * * Oh, how the widow scolded the daughter, and how the daughter laughed at the widow, when she related the particulars of her call. "Lenora, what could have possessed you to tell such a lie?" said Mrs. Carter. "Not so fast, mother mine," answered Lenora. "'Twasn't a lie. Mr. Hamilton _is_ engaged to a lady from the East. He _did_ flirt with her in his younger days; and, pray, didn't he have to come East when be called to inquire after his beloved classmates, and ended by getting checkmated! Besides, I think you ought to thank me for turning the channel of gossip in another direction, for now you will be saved from all impertinent questions and remarks."