Now, the truth the coachman had come appointed time, but the noise of Jane's piano had prevented his arrival being heard back parlor The Irish girl had gone door when he rang the bell, and recognized in him what she called "an ould friend " Just then lady and gentleman who caught rain came running along, and seeing carriage drawing up at door, the gentleman inquired driver if take them to Rutgers Place The driver replied that he had just come for two ladies and gentleman whom he had brought Astor House

"Indeed and Patrick," said the girl who stood door, "if you I'd be after making another penny to-night Miss Jane is pounding away at one of her long music pieces, and it won't be over have time to Rutgers and back again And make them wait awhile, where's the harm ? They've dry roof over their heads, and I warrant it's not the first waiting they've ever had in their lives; and it won't be the last neither "

"Exactly so," said the gentleman; and regardless propriety of first sending to consult the persons who had engaged the carriage, his wife to step in, and following her instantly himself, they drove away to Rutgers Place

Reader, were ever detained in strange house non-arrival of your carriage, easily understand the excessive annoyance of finding that keeping family out beds beyond their usual hour And in , double grievance; the guests being all impatience off to better place The children, all crying when wakened from their sleep, were finally taken to bed by two servant maids, and Jane Watkinson, who never came back again None were left but Hester, the great French scholar, who, being one young imps that seem the faculty of living without sleep, sat bolt upright with her eyes wide open, watching the uncomfortable visitors

The Morlands felt bear it no longer, and Edward proposed sending for another carriage nearest livery stable

"We don't keep man now," said Mrs Watkinson, who sat nodding rocking-chair, attempting snatch of conversation, and saying "ma'am" still more frequently than usual "Men servants are dreadful trials, ma'am, and we gave them up three And I don't know how Mary or Katy are out this stormy night in search of livery stable "

"On no consideration could I allow the women ," replied Edward " oblige me loan of an umbrella, go myself "

Accordingly he set out business, but was unsuccessful at two livery stables, the carriages being all out At last one, and was driven to Mr Watkinson's house, where his mother and sister were awaiting him, all quite ready, with their calashes and shawls on They gladly took their leave; Mrs Watkinson rousing herself to hope they had spent pleasant evening, come and pass another with her on their return to New York cases how difficult to reply even with called "words "

kitchen lamp was brought to light them door, the entry lamp having long since been extinguished Fortunately the rain had ceased; the stars began to reappear, Morlands, found themselves carriage and on their way to Mrs St Leonard's, felt breathe again As supposed, they freely discussed the annoyances evening; but now those troubles were over they felt rather inclined merry

"Dear mother," said Edward, "how I pitied you for having to endure Mrs Watkinson's perpetual 'ma'aming' and 'ma'aming'; for you dislike the word "

" ," said Caroline, " not so prone taken with ridiculous recollections But really to-night get that old foolish child's play out head--

Here come three knights out of Spain A-courting of your daughter Jane "

"_I shall certainly never be one Spanish knights," said Edward "Her daughter Jane is in no danger of being ruled by any 'flattering tongue' But what shame talking manner "

They drove to Mrs St Leonard's, hoping yet half an hour there; though now near twelve o'clock and summer parties never continue to very late hour But came street she lived they were met by number of coaches on their way home, and on reaching the door of her brilliantly lighted mansion, they saw the last guests driving off last carriages, and several musicians coming down the steps with their instruments in their hands

"So dance, then ! " sighed Caroline "Oh, what missed ! really too provoking "

"So ," said Edward; "but remember that to-morrow morning we set off for Niagara "

" leave note St Leonard," said his mother, "explaining that we were detained at Mrs Watkinson's by our coachman disappointing us console ourselves hope of seeing more lady return And now, dear Caroline, draw moral untoward events of to-day mistress of house, and wish to show civility to strangers, let the invitation be always accompanied with frank disclosure of what to expect And conveniently invite company to meet them, tell them at once that insist on their keeping their engagement if anything offers afterwards that prefer; provided only apprize you change in their plan "