and had Julia openly murdered poor Bart, the manner of his mother would not have betrayed her knowledge of the fact to Mrs. Markham.  That lady busied herself with some goods until Mrs. Ridgeley had completed her purchases, when she approached her with her natural graciousness, which was so spontaneous that it was hardly a virtue, and was met with much of her own frank suavity.  These ladies never discussed the weather, or their neighbors, or hired girls,—­which latter one of them did not have; and with a moment’s inquiry after each other’s welfare, in which each omitted the family of the other, Mrs. Markham asked Mrs. Ridgeley’s judgment as to the relative qualities of two or three pieces of ladies’ fabrics, carelessly saying that she was choosing for Julia, who was quite undecided.  Mrs. Ridgeley thought Miss Markham was quite right to defer the matter to her mother’s judgment, and feared that her own ignorance of goods of that quality would not enable her to aid Mrs. Markham.  Mrs. Markham casually remarked that there was much demand for the goods, and that Julia had had a long walk around to the Coes the day before, and home through the woods, and was a little wearied to-day, and had referred the matter to her.  Mrs. Ridgeley understood that Miss Markham was accustomed to healthy out-door exercise, and yet young girls were sometimes, she presumed, nearly as imprudent as boys, etc.; she trusted Miss Markham would soon be restored.

If either of the ladies looked the other in the face while speaking and spoken to, as is allowable, neither discovered anything by the scrutiny.  Mrs. Markham thought Mrs. Ridgeley must suffer much on account of the rashness of so many spirited boys, though she believed that Mrs. Ridgeley was fortunate in the devotion of all her sons.  Mrs. Ridgeley thanked her; as to her boys, she had become accustomed to their caring for themselves, and when they were out she seldom was anxious about them.  Mrs. Markham thought that they must have some interesting adventures in their hunting excursions.  Mrs. Ridgeley said that Morris always enjoyed telling of what he had done and met in the woods, while Barton never mentioned anything, unless he had found a rare flower, a splendid tree, or a striking view, or something of that sort.

The ladies gave each other much well-bred attention, and Mrs. Markham went on to remark that she had not seen Barton since his return, but that Julia had mentioned meeting him once or twice.  Mrs. Ridgeley replied that soon after Barton came home, she remembered that he spoke of meeting Miss Markham at the store.  The faces of the ladies told nothing to each other.  Mrs. Markham gave an animated account of her call at the house being built by Major Ridgeley for Mr. Snow, in Auburn, and said that Mr. Snow was promising that Major Ridgeley might give a ball in it; and the Major undertook to have it ready about New Year’s, and that the ball would be very select, she understood; the house was to contain a very fine ball-room, etc.