Mamma had often been called in to calm the tumult of his feelings on such semi-annual developments; and she did it by pointing out to him that this heavy present expense was an investment by which Lillie was, in the end, to make her own fortune and that of her family. When Lillie contemplated the marriage-service with a view to going through it with John, there was one clause that stood out in consoling distinctness,—“_With all my worldly goods I thee endow._” As to the other clause, which contains the dreadful word “obey,” about which our modern women have such fearful apprehensions, Lillie was ready to swallow it without even a grimace. “Obey John!” Her face wore a pretty air of droll assurance at the thought. It was too funny. “My dear,” said Belle Trevors, who was one of Lillie’s incense-burners and a bridesmaid elect, “_have_ you the least idea how rich he is?” “He is well enough off to do about any thing I want,” said Lillie. “Well, you know he owns the whole village of Spindlewood, with all those great factories, besides law business,” said Belle. “But then they live in a dreadfully slow, pokey way down there in Springdale. They haven’t the remotest idea how to use money.” “I can show him how to use it,” said Lillie. “He and his sister keep a nice sort of old-fashioned place there, and jog about in an old countrified carriage, picking up poor children and visiting schools. She is a _very_ superior woman, that sister.” “I don’t like superior women,” said Lillie. “But you must like her, you know. John is perfectly devoted to her, and I suppose she is to be a fixture in the establishment.” “We shall see about that,” said Lillie. “One thing at a time. I don’t mean he shall live at Springdale. It’s horridly pokey to live in those little country towns. He must have a house in New York.” “And a place at Newport for the summer,” said Belle Trevors. “Yes,” said Lillie, “a cottage in Newport does very well in the season; and then a country place well fitted up to invite company to in the other months of summer.” “Delightful,” said Belle, “_if_ you can make him do it.” “See if I don’t,” said Lillie. “You dear, funny creature, you,—how you do always ride on the top of the wave!” said Belle. “It’s what I was born for,” said Lillie. “By the by, Belle, I got a letter from Harry last night.” “Poor fellow, had he heard”— “Why, of course not. I didn’t want he should till it’s all over. It’s best, you know.” “He is such a good fellow, and so devoted,—it does seem a pity.” “Devoted! well, I should rather think he was,” said Lillie. “I believe he would cut off his right hand for me, any day. But I never gave him any encouragement. I’ve always told him I could be to him only as a sister, you know.” “You ought not to write to him,” said Belle. “What can I do? He is perfectly desperate if I don’t, and still persists that he means to marry me some day, spite of my screams.”