“Moral:  When the doctors differ, do as you please.”

Three of the letters, reserved for the last on account of their unusual bulk, contained actual plans.  One was from an old school friend who had married an architect and couldn’t afford to send a wedding present, but offered the plans as a sort of apology, privately feeling that they would be the most valuable of all the gifts; the second was from a married brother in Kansas who had just built himself a new house, and thought his sister could not do better than use the same plans, which he had “borrowed” from his architect; and the third was from Aunt Melville, who was supposed (by herself) to hold the family destiny in the hollow of her hand.

“For once,” she wrote, “your father has done a most sensible thing.  Every girl ought to have a present of a new house on her wedding-day.  You were very silly to make such a fuss about the house that Jack built, for it is a very stylish-looking house, even if it isn’t quite so convenient inside; but of course you can improve upon it, and fortunately I can contribute just what you need—­the plans of the house that your Uncle Melville built for George last year.  It isn’t as large as it ought to be, but it will suit you and Jack admirably.  You must tell me how much you have to spend.  This house can be very prettily built for eight or ten thousand dollars, and if you haven’t as much as that you must ask for more.  The hall is decidedly stylish, and, with the library at one side and drawing-room at the other, you will have just room enough for your little social parties.  The room behind the drawing-room Jack needs for his private use, his study, office, smoking-room or whatever he calls it—­a place to keep his gun, his top-boots, his fishing-rod and his horrid pipes; where he can revel to his heart’s content in the hideous disorder of a ‘man’s room,’ pile as much rubbish as he likes on the table, lock the doors and defy the rest of the household on house-cleaning days.  The dining-room is good and the kitchen arrangements are perfect.  George’s wife has changed servants but three times since they began housekeeping, nearly a year ago, which certainly proves that there is every possible convenience for doing work easily.  The outside of the house is not wholly satisfactory.  There should be a tower, and you must put one on somewhere.”

[Illustration:  COUSIN GEORGE’S FIRST FLOOR.]

[Illustration:  COUSIN GEORGE’S SECOND FLOOR.]

Then followed several pages of advice about furnishings and a postscript announced that Colonel Livingston was charmed with the house and would probably build one like it for Clara.  The charm of Aunt Melville’s advice lay in its abundant variety.  It was new every morning and fresh every evening.  The latest thing was always the best.  The plans of to-morrow were certain to be better than those of yesterday.