"Send word that the children have caught colds, and get over it in that way." Mrs.Romsey looked gratefully at her admirable husband.

"Just the thing!" she said, with an air of relief.
Lady Myrie's sense of duty expressed itself, with the strictest adherence to the laws of courtesy.

She rose, smiled resignedly, and said, "Good-night." Almost at the same moment, innocent little Kitty astonished her mother and her grandmother by appearing before them in her night-gown, after she had been put to bed nearly two hours since.
"What will this child do next ?" Mrs.Presty exclaimed.
Kitty told the truth.

"I can't go to sleep, grandmamma." "Why not, my darling ?" her mother asked.
"I'm so excited, mamma." "About what, Kitty ?" "About my dinner-party to-morrow.

Oh," said the child, clasping her hands earnestly as she thought of her playfellows, "I do so hope it will go off well!".