“Do you think so?  Well, now I rather fancy that kind of thing.  She’s new, you see, and I get on with that sort of girl the best, for the old ones are so deused knowing that a fellow has no chance of a—­By the Lord Harry, she’s eating bread and milk!”

Young Leavenworth whisked his glass into his eye, and Mr. Seguin put down his roll to behold the phenomenon.  Poor Debby! her first step had been a wrong one.

All great minds have their weak points.  Aunt Pen’s was her breakfast, and the peace of her entire day depended upon the success of that meal.  Therefore, being down rather late, the worthy lady concentrated her energies upon the achievement of a copious repast, and, trusting to former lessons, left Debby to her own resources for a few fatal moments.  After the flutter occasioned by being scooped into her seat by a severe-nosed waiter, Debby had only courage enough left to refuse tea and coffee and accept milk.  That being done, she took the first familiar viand that appeared, and congratulated herself upon being able to get her usual breakfast.  With returning composure, she looked about her and began to enjoy the buzz of voices, the clatter of knives and forks, and the long lines of faces all intent upon the business of the hour; but her peace was of short duration.  Pausing for a fresh relay of toast, Aunt Pen glanced toward her niece with the comfortable conviction that her appearance was highly creditable; and her dismay can be imagined, when she beheld that young lady placidly devouring a great cup of brown-bread and milk before the eyes of the assembled multitude.  The poor lady choked in her coffee, and between her gasps whispered irefully behind her napkin,—­

“For Heaven’s sake, Dora, put away that mess!  The Ellenboroughs are directly opposite, watching everything you do.  Eat that omelet, or anything respectable, unless you want me to die of mortification.”

Debby dropped her spoon, and, hastily helping herself from the dish her aunt pushed toward her, consumed the leathery compound with as much grace as she could assume, though unable to repress a laugh at Aunt Pen’s disturbed countenance.  There was a slight lull in the clatter, and the blithe sound caused several heads to turn toward the quarter whence it came, for it was as unexpected and pleasant a sound as a bobolink’s song in a cage of shrill-voiced canaries.

“She’s a jolly little thing and powerful pretty, so deuse take me if I don’t make up to the old lady and find out who the girl is.  I’ve been introduced to Mrs. Carroll at our house; but I suppose she won’t remember me till I remind her.”

The “deuse” declining to accept of his repeated offers, (probably because there was still too much honor and honesty in the boy,) young Leavenworth sought out Mrs. Carroll on the piazza, as she and Debby were strolling there an hour later.

“Joe Leavenworth, my dear, from one of our first families,—­very wealthy,—­fine match,—­pray, be civil,—­smooth your hair, hold back your shoulders, and put down your parasol,” murmured Aunt Pen, as the gentleman approached with as much pleasure in his countenance as it was consistent with manly dignity to express upon meeting two of the inferior race.