were, rather than be subjected to the heavy expense which he saw too plainly housekeeping would involve.

"Oh, no, no," was his lady's reply. "This is all of your own seeking. Things have gone too far now. We have already taken the house, and my heart is set upon having it fitted up in a delightful way. I am not one of your changeables. When I once set my mind upon doing a thing, I must go to the end."

Nothing was left but quiet submission, or a prolonged contention, the result of which in the husband's mind was very doubtful. He weakly chose the former, against all the higher dictates of his reason; thus giving to a self-willed, vain and unfeeling woman, a new and more dangerous power over him.

CHAPTER IX.

FALSE FRIENDS.

WHILE the result of her contention with her husband was still doubtful, Mrs. Riston called upon none of her friends except Mrs. Leslie, who always encouraged her to do just what she wished to do, and whose advice was always such as to aid her in more effectually attaining her own ends. But, no sooner was it settled that she was to become the mistress of an elegant house, than she was on the wing. Among the first persons on whom she called was Mrs. Hartley. She could not restrain the desire she felt to let Anna know that she was herself to occupy the beautiful house she had been so foolish as to pass by.

"I have news to tell you, my dear," she said, with a brightening face, after she had been seated a few minutes.

"Ah? What is it?"

"You wouldn't guess in a month."

"Perhaps not. I never was very good at guess

ing."

"I am going to housekeeping."

"What?"

"To housekeeping! Aint you surprised?” "I am truly. What in the world has caused you to change your views?"

"Circumstances. My husband set his mind so determinedly upon it, that nothing was left me but to consent. Would you believe it ?—the man actually set about renting a house and furnishing it himself, declaring that he would hire some one to keep it for him and live there alone if I did not choose to go with him! It's a fact! Did you ever hear of such a thing?"

Mrs. Hartley looked at her visiter in mute

amazement.

"Well may you look surprised!" resumed Mrs. Riston. "But, if I did' consent, in the end, after a hard struggle to give up my freedom, it was only after stipulations honourable enough to my pride and ambition. He fought hard, but I can quered by perseverance."

A

Her

It was impossible for Anna to say a single word, in the pause that followed this sentence. heart was shocked. But, of the real impression her communication had made, Mrs. Riston had no idea.

"My husband fixed upon a house very much

like the one you have," the lady continued, "cnly something more genteel; but I told him no at once that if I was forced to go to housekeeping, I must at least have a word to say in regard to the style in which I was to live. He yielded a little, and then I pushed him up hard, for I knew that nothing else would do. At first I insisted upon having a house in Arch street at nine hundred dollars."

"Mrs. Riston ""

"Indeed I did. He looked dumbfounded. I urged, but he said no, with such a resolute air, and plead inability so very hard, that I abated a little. You remember the house in Walnut street

that you were so silly as to refuse when your husband wanted to rent it? Well, that house still remained vacant, and I settled down upon it, determined not to descend a single step lower. My good man fought hard, but it was no use. I was immoveable. At last he consented, and we have the keys! Aint you sorry now that you did not secure it?"

"No," was the simple reply of Mrs. Hartley. "You will be, then. Wait until I get it furnished. I'll dazzle your eyes for you. Mr. Riston has left all to my taste."

"Without regard to expense ?"

"He tried to limit me to a certain sum, but I told him it was no use. We had no children, and, therefore, no particular reason for being over economical. Other people could live in handsome style who were no better off, and we had just as good a right to all the elegancies of life as any body else. He preached about his not being able to bear the heavy expense: but I wouldn't listen to him a moment. I have heard about that ever since we were married. He would go to housekeeping, and now he shall have enough of it. Oh, but I'll show you style!"

Anna looked grave.

"What is the matter, my dear? Not envious, I hope, in anticipation?"

"No, heaven knows that I am not!" Anna said, with a serious face and as serious a tone.

"What is the matter, then, child?”

"I am grieved at heart to hear any one speak of her husband as you are speaking, Mrs. Riston. Depend upon it you are wrong."

"Wrong for a woman to assert her rights and maintain them.”

"A woman has no rights independent of her husband."

"You are crazy, child! Must she be his passive slave?"