"Now if ever there was a community which needed to study the art of living, it is our American one; for at present, domestic life is so wearing and so oppressive as seriously to affect health and happiness. Whatever has been done abroad in the way of comfort and convenience can be done here; and the first neighborhood that shall set the example of dividing the tasks and burdens of life by the judicious use of the principle of _association_ will initiate a most important step in the way of national happiness and prosperity. "My solution, then, of the domestic problem may be formulized as follows:-- "1st. That women make self-helpfulness and family helpfulness fashionable, and every woman use her muscles daily in enough household work to give her a good digestion. "2d. That the situation of a domestic be made so respectable and respected that well-educated American women shall be induced to take it as a training-school for their future family life. "3d. That families by association lighten the multifarious labors of the domestic sphere. "All of which I humbly submit to the good sense and enterprise of American readers and workers." GRIFFITH GAUNT; OR, JEALOUSY. CHAPTER VI. The two combatants came to the field in a very different spirit. Neville had already fought two duels, and been successful in both. He had confidence in his skill and in his luck. His conscience, too, was tolerably clear; for he was the insulted person; and if a bullet should remove this dangerous rival from his path, why, all the better for him, and all the worse for the fool who had brought the matter to a bloody issue, though the balance of the lady's heart inclined his way. He came in high spirits, and rode upon Kate Peyton's gray, to sting his adversary, and show his contempt of him. Not so Griffith Gaunt. His heart was heavy, and foreboded ill. It was his first duel, and he expected to be killed. He had played a fool's game, and he saw it. The night before the duel he tried hard to sleep; he knew it was not giving his nerves fair play to lie thinking all night. But coy sleep, as usual when most wanted, refused to come. At daybreak the restless man gave it up in despair, and rose and dressed himself. He wrote that letter to Catharine, little thinking it would fall into her hands while he lived. He ate a little toast, and drank a pint of Burgundy, and then wandered listlessly about till Major Rickards, his second, arrived. That experienced gentleman brought a surgeon with him,--Mr. Islip. Major Rickards deposited a shallow wooden box in the hall; and the two gentlemen sat down to a hearty breakfast.