“Perhaps,” said Mr. Barbour, who was much depressed at the approaching parting, “Miss Ellen may not mean to return to her uncle’s.  A young lady with good looks, and a heavy purse, will be found out in Washington.  She will just suit a great many there—­clerks with small salaries, army and navy men with expensive habits; and foreign attaches, who, being nothing in their own country, turn our young ladies’ heads when they come here.”

“So you think I am destined for no other fate than to pay a fortune-hunter’s debts.  Thank you, Mr. Barbour!”

“The fact is, Mr. Barbour wants you himself, Ellen, and he is afraid somebody will carry you off.  He will pay us a visit this winter, I expect,” said Mrs. Weston.

“Well,” said Ellen laughingly, “I’d rather take up with him than to go back to my old life, now that I see you are all so happy here.”

“But your aunt and uncle,” said Miss Janet, “you must not feel unkindly toward them.”

“No, indeed,” said Ellen, “they are both good and kind in their way, but uncle is reserved, and often low-spirited.  Aunt is always talking of the necessity of self-control, and the discipline of life.  She is an accomplished teaze.  Why, do you know,” continued Ellen, laughingly, as she removed Miss Janet’s hand from her mouth, the old lady thus playfully endeavoring to check her, “after I had accepted Mrs. Weston’s kind invitation, and mammy and I were busy packing, aunt said I must not be too sanguine, disappointments were good for young people, and that something might occur which would prevent my going.  I believe I should have died outright, if it had turned out so.”

“And so,” said Mr. Barbour, “to get rid of a dull home, you are determined to fly in the face of fate, and are going to Washington after a husband.  Ah!  Miss Ellen, beware of these young men that have nothing but their whiskers and their epaulettes.  Let me tell you of a young friend of mine, who would marry the man of her choice, in spite of the interference of her friends, and one April morning in the honey moon they were seen breakfasting under a persimmon tree.  However, as you are a young lady of fortune, you will always be sure of coffee and hot rolls; your good father has made such a sensible will, that the principal never can be touched.  How many fine fortunes would have been saved, if Southerners had taken such precautions long ago.  You will have a fine time young ladies, you must keep an account of your conquests, and tell me of them when you come back.”

“Its only Ellen who is going in search of love adventures, Mr. Barbour,” said Alice.

“Make yourself easy, Mr. Barbour,” said Ellen.  “I mean to have a delightful time flirting, then come back to marry you, and settle down.  Mammy says I can’t help getting good, if I live near Miss Janet.”

“Well, I will wait for you,” said Mr. Barbour.  “And now Alice, sing me a sweet old Scotch song.  Sing, ’’Twas within half a mile of Edinburgh town’.”