“Basil,” she said, “perhaps we'd better declare some of these things. What's the duty on those?” she asked, pointing to certain articles. “I don't know. About a hundred per cent. ad valorem.” “C'est a dire--?” “As much as they cost.” “O then, dearest,” responded Isabel indignantly, “it can't be wrong to smuggle! I won't declare a thread!” “That's very well for you, whom they won't ask. But what if they ask me whether there's anything to declare?” Isabel looked at her husband and hesitated. Then she replied in terms that I am proud to record in honor of American womanhood: “You mustn't fib about--it, Basil” (heroically); “I couldn't respect you if you did,” (tenderly); “but” (with decision) “you must slip out of it some way!” The ladies of the Ellison party, to whom she put the case in the parlor, agreed with her perfectly. They also had done a little shopping in Quebec, and they meant to do more at Montreal before they returned to the States. Mrs. Ellison was disposed to look upon Isabel's compunctions as a kind of treason to the sex, to be forgiven only because so quickly repented. The Ellisons were going up the Saguenay before coming on to Boston, and urged our friends hard to go with them. “No, that must be for another time,” said Isabel. “Mr. March has to be home by a certain day; and we shall just get back in season.” Then she made them promise to spend a day with her in Boston, and the Colonel coming to say that he had a carriage at the door for their excursion to Lorette, the two parties bade good-by with affection and many explicit hopes of meeting soon again. “What do you think of them, dearest?” demanded Isabel, as she sallied out with Basil for a final look at Quebec. “The young lady is the nicest; and the other is well enough, too. She is a good deal like you, but with the sense of humor left out. You've only enough to save you.” “Well, her husband is jolly enough for both of them. He's funnier than you, Basil, and he hasn't any of your little languid airs and affectations. I don't know but I'm a bit disappointed in my choice, darling; but I dare say I shall work out of it. In fact, I don't know but the Colonel is a little too jolly. This drolling everything is rather fatiguing.” And having begun, they did not stop till they had taken their friends to pieces. Dismayed, then, they hastily reconstructed them, and said that they were among the pleasantest people they ever knew, and they were really very sorry to part with them, and they should do everything to make them have a good time in Boston.