CAROLINE.

CHAPTER I.

THE PRESENTS.

 

Malleville and Phonny go out to take a walk. Rule of polite society.

ONE pleasant summer evening, about an hour before
sunset, Phonny and Malleville came out of the great gate
in front of Phonny’s house, to take a walk.

“ Let us go down to the river,” said Malleville.

There was a river very near Mrs. Henry’s house, and
a pleasant path leading down to it through a field.

<< No,’ said Phonny, “let us go along the road.”

“If we go down by the river,” said Malleville, “ we can
get: some flowers.’’

“And if we go by the road, we shall meet the stage
coming in,” said Phonny. ‘“ That’s a great deal better
than getting flowers.”

Malleville yielded. That was right. It was proper
that she should yield. The rule of polite society is, that
the gentleman ought always to be ready and willing, of
his own accord, to consult the wishes of the lady, in a
question of this sort, and to govern himself by them.
But when he forgets himself so far as to disregard the

B