I guess I'd better ask her.

I wonder if Hope would have had me! Oh! dear me.

I wonder if old Newt is rich.

How'd I happen to do it?
Oh! dear me." He felt very much depressed indeed.
"Well, mother, I'm going down," said he.
"My dear, dear son! Kiss me, Alfred," replied his mother.
He stooped and kissed her cheek.
"How happy we shall all be!" murmured she.
"Oh, very, very happy!" answered Alfred, as he opened the door.
But as he closed it behind him, the best billiard-player at the Trimountain billiard-rooms said, ruefully, in his heart, while he went to his beloved, "Oh! dear me! Oh!--dear--me! How'd I happen to do it ?" Fanny Newt, of course, had heard from Alfred of the interview with his mother on the same evening, as they sat in Mrs.Newt's parlor before going into the ball.

Fanny was arrayed in a charming evening costume.