It is, indeed, a mere girlish proposal at first; but, much to the delight of Miss Eliza, it is abundantly confirmed by a formal invitation from Mrs. Bowrigg, a few weeks after, who, besides being attracted by the manners and character of Adèle, sees in it an admirable opportunity for the accomplishment of her daughters in French. Her demonstrative girls and a son of twenty comprise her family. For these reasons, she will regard it as a favor, if the Doctor will allow Miss Maverick to establish herself with them for the winter. Miss Eliza is delighted with the scheme, but fears the cool judgment of the Doctor: and she has abundant reason. "It cannot be," he said, and was quite inexorable. The truth is, that Mrs. Bowrigg, like a good many educated with a narrow severity, had expanded her views under the city influences in directions that were by no means approved by the good Doctor. Hers was not only a godless household, but given over to the lusts of the eye and the pride of life. It was quite impossible for him to entertain the idea of submitting Adèle to any such worldly associations. Miss Eliza pleaded the exigencies of the case in vain; and even Adèle, attracted by the novelty of the proposed situation, urged her claim in the cheeriest little manner conceivable. "Only for the winter, New Papa; please say 'Yes'!" And the tender hands patted the grave face, as she seated herself with a childish coquetry upon the elbow of his chair. "Impossible, quite impossible," says the Doctor. "You are too dear to me, Adaly." "Oh, now, New Papa, you don't mean that,--not _positively_?"--and the winning fingers tap his cheek again. But for this time, at least, Adèle is to lose her claim; the Doctor well knows that to suffer such endearments were to yield; so he rises brusquely,-- "I must be just, my child, to the charge your father has imposed upon me. It cannot be." It will not be counted strange, if a little ill-disguised petulance appeared in the face of Adèle that day and the next. The winter of 1836-7 was a very severe one throughout New England. Perhaps it was in view of its severity, that, on or about New Year's Day, there came to the parsonage a gift from Reuben for Adèle, in the shape of a fur tippet, very much to the gratification of Miss Eliza and to the pleasant surprise of the Doctor. Rose and Phil, sitting by the fire next day, Rose says, in a timid voice, with less than her usual sprightliness,-- "Do you know who has sent a beautiful fur tippet to Adèle, Phil?" "No," says Phil, briskly. "Who?" "Reuben," says Rose,--in a tone as if a blush ran over her face at the utterance. If there was one, however, Phil could not have seen it; he was looking steadfastly into the fire, and said only,-- "I don't care." A little after, (nothing having been said, meantime,) he has occasion to rearrange the wood upon the hearth, and does it with such preposterous violence that the timid little voice beside him says,--