Thus matters stood, when a mutual friend, who wished to do honour to some visitors from a neighbouring city, sent out invitations for a party. Before these invitations were despatched, it was seriously debated whether it would do to invite both Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Todd, considering how matters stood between them. The decision was in favour of letting them take care of their own difficulties. "If I thought Mrs. Todd would be there, I am sure I wouldn't go," said Mrs. Jones, on receiving her card of invitation. "I hardly think that would be acting wisely," replied her husband. "You are not conscious of having wronged Mrs. Todd. Why, then, should you shun her?" "But it is so unpleasant to meet a person with whom you have been long intimate, who refuses to speak to you." "No doubt it is. Still we ought not to go out of our way to shun that person. Let us, while we do not attempt to interfere with the liberties of others, be free ourselves. Were I in your place, I would not move an inch to keep out of her way." "I have not your firmness. I wish I had. It was only yesterday that I crossed the street to keep from meeting her face to face." "You were wrong." "I can't help it; it is my weakness. Three times already have I put myself about to avoid her; and if I could frame any good excuse for staying away from this party, I certainly should do so. I would give any thing for a good sick-headache on Tuesday next." "I am really ashamed of you, Ellen. I thought you more of a woman," said Mr. Jones. The night of the party at length came round. During the whole day preceding it, Mrs. Jones could think of nothing but the unpleasant feelings she would have upon meeting with Mrs. Todd, and her "heart was in her mouth" all the time. She wished a dozen times that it would rain. But her wishes availed nothing; not a cloud was to be seen in the clear blue firmament from morning until evening. "Oh, if I only had some good excuse for staying at home!" she said over and over again; but no good excuse offered. Mr. Jones saw that his wife was in a very unhappy state of mind, and tried his best to cheer her, but with little good effect. "It is no use to talk to me, I can't help it," she replied to his remonstrance, in a husky voice. "I am neither a stock nor a stone." "There's Mrs. Jones," said one friend to another, on seeing the lady they named enter Mrs.--'s well-filled parlours. "Where is Mrs. Todd?" asked the lady addressed. "Sure enough! where is she?" replied the other. "Oh, there she is, in the other room. I wonder why it is that she does not speak to Mrs. Jones." "No one knows." "It's very strange." "I'll tell you what I've heard." "What?" "That she's jealous of Mrs. Jones." "Ridiculous!" "Isn't it." "I don't believe a word of it." "Nor I. I only told you what I had heard." "There must be some other reason." "And doubtless is."