“You are to sleep here. Is there anything you want?” she asked, setting down the candle on a chest that served as toilet-table and washstand. “Yes; water and towels, if you please,” replied Rosalie. “I’ll get them for you in a minute. When do you look for _him_ in?” “Mr. Sutherland?—every moment!” “Umph! humph! Now tell me the truth—I sha’n’t blame you—it’s none o’ my business you know, but—_ain’t_ you and that young man a runaway match?” “Why, no, certainly not,” said Rosalie, reddening and laughing. “We were married in my uncle’s house, and left it with his blessing and good wishes.” “That’s right; you must excuse my asking, but you somehow looked so young and delicate for such a life as you’re come to, that I couldn’t help thinking that it must o’ been a _love-match_.” Rosalie did not say that she hoped it _was_ a love-match, and the landlady departed on her errand. When she entered, bringing a tin basin and a crash towel, she put them down upon the chest, and said: “I forgot to tell you that there are four bachelors sleep in the fore part of the room.” Rosalie looked up, surprised and shocked. This feature of western life was quite new to her, and she was totally unprepared for it. The hostess saw her expression, and hastened to say—“Oh! they’re very nice, steady young men; they won’t make a noise, and keep you awake.” “But have you no private room unoccupied? Your house seems large; I should think there were at least four chambers on this floor?” “Lor’ bless you, child, so there are; but the floors ain’t laid to none o’ them except this one, which is the reason I have to put so many in it. Bless you, you mus’n’t mind such things out here—nobody does—’tain’t like where you come from, you know. And now, child, if there’s nothing else I can do for you, I hope you’ll excuse me, for indeed I am so tired I am almost ready to drop.” “Certainly; indeed, I am sorry to have given you so much trouble. Good night!” “Good night!” said the hostess, taking up her candle, and disappearing through the opening folds of the blanket.