Mrs. Cossart rather felt as though she had taken an infinity of trouble for a chimera of her own brain, and when she reached the dining-room her jaw almost dropped. She had pictured the amalgamation which would take place between Effie and the Dumaresqs now that Sheila had gone; but what did she see? The whole Dumaresq party had moved bodily to the side table, hitherto occupied by the Barretts, who had left to-day. Some new arrivals from the Cape had been given the seats next to the Cossarts—loud-voiced colonials with rather bad manners, who talked amongst themselves and seemed not to desire the acquaintance of their neighbours. Mrs. Cossart sat in dismayed silence through the meal, and when she went into the drawing-room afterwards, she fancied that all the people looked coldly at her. Nobody spoke either to her or to Effie, and they soon retired to their own rooms. Was this a sample of what would result from her laborious attempt to promote her daughter’s popularity? (_To be continued._) [Illustration] THINGS IN SEASON, IN MARKET AND KITCHEN. BY LA MÉNAGERE. September, the hunter’s moon, brings us such an abundance in our markets that it is difficult to say just what is peculiar to the month. Undoubtedly the most prominent feature is moor game, and now is the time when even moderate purses may safely indulge in this. Hares, rabbits, grouse, partridges, and wild duck give an excellent choice, and poultry also is prime and not dear. Fresh-water fish come in this month, and are often most useful to country hostesses, as well as affording sport to her guests. The orchards are laden now with fast-ripening fruit, and if this harvest is a fairly plentiful one we may indeed be glad. Nuts will find an excuse for many delightful nutting parties among the children, and the storing of fruits and vegetables from the garden will keep the housekeeper busy. Damsons should be plentiful towards the end of this month, and will want making into jam and cheese, and we expect also to gather blackberries—another excuse for picnicking—nor must we leave mushrooms out of the list. Indeed, September is the harvest-month in many senses, for we have the wild crops ready for garnering, as well as the cultivated ones of garden and field. The poorest country-dweller may make a profit now who has the wit and the energy to seek for nature’s bounty, as these wild things invariably meet with a ready sale in towns.