As for the others of this light-hearted and laughing group of young folk, they were these: Miss Kerfoot, a fresh-coloured, plump, pleasant-looking girl, wearing much elaborate head-gear rather out of proportion to her stature; her married sister, Mrs. Lalor, a grass-widow who was kind enough to play chaperon to the young people, but whose effective black eyes had a little trick of roving on their own account—perhaps merely in quest of a joke; Dr. Thomas P. Tilley, an adolescent practitioner, who might have inspired a little more confidence in his patients had he condescended to powder his profuse chestnut-brown hair; and, finally, the long and lank gentleman who waited so humbly on Miss Hodson, and who was Mr. J. C. Huysen, of the _Chicago Citizen_. Miss Carry had at length—and after abundant meek intercession and explanations and expressions of remorse—pardoned the repentant editor for his treatment of Ronald. It was none of his doing, he vowed and declared. It was some young jackass whom the proprietors of the paper had introduced to him. The article had slipped in without his having seen it first. If only her Scotch friend would write something more, he would undertake that the _Chicago Citizen_ would treat it with the greatest respect. And so forth. Miss Carry was for a long time obdurate, and affected to think that it was poetical jealousy on his part (for the lank-haired editor had himself in former days written and published sentimental verse—a fact which was not forgotten by one or two of the wicked young men on the staff of the _N. Y. Sun_ when Mr. Huysen adventured into the stormy arena of politics); but in the end she restored him to favour, and found him more submissive than ever. And in truth there was substantial reason for his submission. The _Chicago Citizen_ paid well enough, no doubt; but the editor of that journal had large views; and Miss Hodson’s husband—if all stories were true—would find himself in a very enviable position indeed. ’Mayn’t I carry your cape for you, Miss Hodson?’ the tall editor said, in the most pleading way in the world. ’No, I thank you,’ she answered, civilly enough; but she did not turn her head; and she made believe that her mind was wholly set on _’I’m in love, sweet Mistress Prue,_ _Sooth I can’t conceal it.’_ This timid prayer and its repulse had not escaped the sharp observation of Miss Kerfoot.