improve under her skim-milk discipline. Leave me alone for managing
affairs. I've got the staff in my own hands, and all they can do wont
make me anything but the Honorable Mr. Santon's lady! though I'm greatly
mistaken if he don't look with evil eyes on the day that made me his
bride; but that's not of the slightest consequence, as I used to tell my
first husband. Poor fellow! I suppose I was rather hard upon him once in
a while; but I knew he was waiting patiently for the day which should
separate us. He little thought he would go first," and the woman
laughed aloud, as she thought how she had crept into the good graces of
her present husband. "Leave me alone for playing my part," she said, as
seated in her own apartment, she listened to the voice of Delwood in the
drawing-room. "It is evident that her very life is wrapt up in Mr.
Delwood, and it is really quite a pity that so fine a fellow should be
deceived; and lest she should follow my illustrious example, I might as
well interfere in their arrangements; and if I can see aright, she has
talked the enviable heiress into the belief that her brother is a very
paragon of perfection, for she knows right well that a good bag of money
would be no serious objection to his fishermanship. How they ever raised
two such likely looking specimens of humanity down there in the land of
whales, is a mystery; but they'll find they cannot take the precedence
with Boston gentry. If I can avail anything, my particular friend
Montague shall try his luck in securing that portion of the heiress's
estate which I shall be pleased to leave her."

With these plans matured, she ushered herself into Delwood's presence,
and in her blandest manner made him welcome, initiating herself as far
as possible into his good opinion, which was no difficult task, inasmuch
as he had been accustomed to look upon a character so spotless, that he
was not prepared for the detestable machinations of one who was not
worthy the name of woman. It had been far from the Sea-flower to breathe