"My father going to be married! To whom pray ?" "To a lady from the East--one whom he used to know and flirt with when he was in college!" was Lenora's grave reply.
"What is her name ?" asked Kate.
"Her name?
Let me see--Miss--Blackwell--Blackmer--_Blackheart_.

It sounds the most like Blackheart." "What a queer name," said Kate; "but tell us what opportunity has Mr.
Hamilton had of renewing his early acquaintance with the lady." "Don't you know he's been East this winter ?" asked Lenora.
"Yes, as far as Albany," answered Carrie.
"Well," continued Lenora, "'twas during his Eastern trip that the matter was settled; but pray don't repeat it from me, except it be to Maggie, who I dare say, will feel glad to be relieved of her heavy responsibilities--but as I live, Carrie, you are crying! What is the matter ?" But Carrie made no answer, and for a time wept on in silence.

She could not endure the thought that another would so soon take the place of her lost mother in the household and in the affections of her father.

There was, besides, something exceedingly annoying in the manner of her who communicated the intelligence, and secretly Carrie felt glad that the dreaded "Miss Blackheart" had, of course, no Lenora to bring with her! "Do you know all this to be true ?" asked Kate.
"Perfectly true," said Lenora.

"We have friends living in the vicinity of the lady, and there can be no mistake, except, indeed, in the name, which I am not sure is right!" Then hastily kissing Carrie, the little hussy went away, very well satisfied with her afternoon's call.