"Please, sir, how is the poor young lady who was here this morning? She was such a nice creetur, I'm anxious to hear if she be well again." This was the most reasonable remark I had heard the old housekeeper make, during all my acquaintance with her. She had given utterance to a long speech, without once using her favourite expression. The fact was something wonderful; and that is probably the reason why I have recorded it. In answer to her interrogatory, I told her, that I had neither seen nor heard of the young lady since the morning. "Then more's the pity!" rejoined Mrs Nagger. "If men have no regard for such a lovely creetur as her, it's no wonder _I_ have never found a husband. More's the pity, sir! That's all _I_ can say." Mrs Nagger was a good servant; but my sister-in-law and her mother were often displeased with her; on account of a disposition she often displayed for meddling too much with what did not, or should not have concerned her. She seemed to consider herself one of the family; and entitled to know the affairs of every member of it, although I believe she was prompted to this, by a feeling of friendship and good will. "Nagger," I once heard my brother's wife say to her, "I think you give yourself much more trouble, than is required from you." "More's the pity, ma'am!" answered Nagger. "You must not interfere with what does not concern you," continued Mrs Stone. "If you do, I shall have to dispense with your services." "If you do, ma'am, more's the pity! That's all I can say." "I wish it _was_ all you could say. Then, perhaps, we should agree very well." "The more I don't trouble about your business," rejoined Mrs Nagger, "the more's the pity for us all!" I believe that my sister-in-law knew this; or if not, she probably thought that a better servant would be difficult to obtain; and Nagger continued to keep her place. I had promised to call again at Captain Nowell's, that same evening, and take my brother, his wife, and her mother, along with me. The Captain wished to see them before setting sail; and had urged me to bring them to his house--a request with which I was but too ready to comply: as I was desirous to show Lenore to my relations. I communicated my intention to them; and asked if they had made any engagement for the evening. "No, I think not. Have you, William?" asked Mrs Stone. "Not that I know of," answered my brother, "unless it be to make ourselves happy at our own fireside." "I am to be married in six days," said I, "and there is no time to lose in getting you acquainted with my intended. I have promised to take you all to see her this evening--if I can induce you to go. What say you? Will you accompany me?" They looked at each other. "I cannot tell," said Mrs Stone. "What do you say, mother? What do you think William. I am impatient to see Rowland's choice; but would it be etiquette for us to go to-night?"