For a whole week he never returned to the house. Three days of a second week elapsed, and still he kept away. He had been invited, however to a ball which was to be given there the day following; and, much as he was inclined to absent himself, being a little more inclined to go--he went. Full three hours was he in the room without once setting his eyes upon Rosalie. He saw her mother and her father, and talked with them; he saw 'squire this and doctor that, and attorney such-a-one, and had fifty things to say to each of them; he had eyes and tongue for every body, but Rosalie--not a look, or a word did he exchange with her; yet he was here and there and every where! In short he was all communicativeness and vivacity, so that every one remarked how bright he had become since his last visit to college! At last, however, his fine spirits all at once seemed to forsake him, and he withdrew to the library, which was lighted up for the occasion as an anti-room, and taking a volume out of the book-case, threw himself into a chair and began to turn over the leaves. "Have you forgotten your little wife," said a soft voice near him--'twas Rosalie's--"if you _have_," she added as he started from his seat, "she has not forgotten you." She wore a carnation in her hair--the hue of the flower was not deeper than that of her cheek as she stood and extended her hands to Theodore who, the moment he rose, had held forth both of his. "Rosalie!" "Theodore!"--He led her to a sofa, which stood in a recess on the opposite side of the room, and for five minutes not another word did they exchange. At length she gently withdrew her hand from his--she had suffered him to hold it all that time--"We shall be observed," said she. "Ah Rosalie," replied he, "nine months since you sat upon my knee, and they observed us, yet you did not mind it!" "You know I am a woman now," rejoined Rosalie, hanging her head, "and--and--will you lead off the next dance with me?" cried she, suddenly changing the subject. "There now; I have asked you," added she, "which is more than you deserve!"--Of course Theodore was not at all happy to accept the challenge of the metamorphosed Rosalie.