'The first ball I give,' said Hazel, gravely examining a pasteboard box filled with the article, 'will probably be one of soap,but just when it will be, I do not know.'

'And do you mean your first cards issued to be wool cards, my dear?' said Kitty with secret delight.

'Kitty,' said Rollo, 'suppose you take a sugarplumand behave yourself.'

'O I can't stay,' said Kitty giving way a little. 'I only came just to '

'That's what I came for too,' said Josephine; 'and now I am going.'

'We have all got more than we came for, then,' said Molly; 'but I have staid too long, too. Will you take me home Phinney.'

The ladies swept away; the room was full of rustling silks for a moment, and then was clear. Rollo came back from putting them into their respective carriages, and stood and smiled at Hazel.

'It has come at last!' he said.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

PLEASURE BY EXPRESS.