all in the selection of my acquaintances. My father frequently used
to point out that as I was a lady by blood, I should seek the
companionship of ladies only. But his remonstrances never exceeded
words; and when I disobeyed, his orders he only sighed and wished my
mother had been spared to watch my welfare.

'When I reached my seventeenth year, my friends were pleased to tell
me that I was "a beauty," and they predicted that I would make sad
work among the hearts of men. I always was a coquette, and to capture
the affections of a man, I regarded as the greatest victory a woman
could win. So I felt proud of my beauty and of my gifts, for I had a
natural way of pleasing everybody, and resolved to make the most
effective use of both. In the spring I looked to the sugar season;
and wished for the dawn to break upon nights when the frost was keen.
When the sun shone out I knew that the maples would merrily drip; and
when breakfast was ended, tying on my hat, I hurried away to join the
sugar-makers. It made no matter who the persons were, and I used to
be as happy and as much at home among the servants who did our
domestic work, as among the high-bred folk who were my father's
associates. In the evening I attended candy parties among the
rustics; and danced and played at games. The game that pleased me
most was post-office; for there was plenty of kissing when playing
that. But ah! I did like kissing! I always singled out the most
popular man in the room for conquest; and no other girl had any
chance whenever I entered the lists. And in spite of the preference
which all men gave to me, I was popular, and no unkind words were
uttered about me. If anybody hinted that I was a flirt, there was
sure to be someone present who would promptly say:

'"Oh, she is not proud anyway. She is a _real_ lady; and she is