But then where to wear all these fine French dresses?
Lillie had been called on, and invited once to little social evening parties, through the whole round of old, respectable families that lived under the elm-arches of Springdale; and she had found it rather stupid.

There was not a man to make an admirer of, except the young minister, who, after the first afternoon of seeing her, returned to his devotion to Rose Ferguson.
You know, ladies, Aesop has a pretty little fable as follows: A young man fell desperately in love with a cat, and prayed to Jupiter to change her to a woman for his sake.

Jupiter was so obliging as to grant his prayer; and, behold, a soft, satin-skinned, purring, graceful woman was given into his arms.
But the legend goes on to say that, while he was delighting in her charms, she heard the sound of _mice_ behind the wainscot, and left him forthwith to rush after her congenial prey.
Lillie had heard afar the sound of _mice_ at Newport, and she longed to be after them once more.

Had she not a prestige now as a rich young married lady?
Had she not jewels and gems to show?
Had she not any number of mouse-traps, in the way of ravishing toilets?
She thought it all over, till she was sick with longing, and was sure that nothing but the sea-air could do her any good; and so she fell to crying, and kissing her faithful John, till she gained her end, like a veritable little cat as she was..