Year: 1877

it was very astonishing thing 10 ME
how so desirable parti had fallen 10 my
lot. He was certain to get on--the senior
partners had been known TO say so them
selves. Consequently our start in lie
promised to be fair one. And to he
brief, we were married. Our honeymoon
was of comparatively short duration, but
Ii was long enough to cost Henry, as
afterwards learned, something like forty
pounds, which was a considerable cut
out of three hundred year; for it had
not occurred to him to lay by any spare
cash for those unavoidable expenses. /
had felt rather uneasy at the expenditure,
but it wss too early days TO venture on
any remonstrance had been 30 inclined 4;
we were sure to live very quietly when
we once settled down, and could easily
then make up for any little extravaganza
of which at the outset we had been
guilty. We were TO live in London, and
we were fully agreed on one point lodg-
ings were not to be thought Of; we must
have house Of our own. The prospect
of possessing one jointly with Henry was
very pleasant TO me. ! pictured an
endless fund of amusement and Occupa-
ton too, in furnishing and adorning it ;
but the mansion had still TO be selected (;
30 eur first business was TO find one to
suit us, the next TO get into it rs soon as
possible.


We emust have spent small fortune in
cab.hire before we finally found just
what we wanted even then, though the
situation was good and the domicil de-
sirable, the rent rather frightened US; il
was eighty guineas year unfurnished !;
but we should bo 70 comfortable in ii
The smallness of its size-and it was ex.
tremely small-was rather an advantage
than otherwise, as il would require 30
littlc furniture; and two maids would
be amply sufficient for our establish
ment, which in such place would be a
most creditable menage.


We were delighted with the house, the
balcony to the drawing room being, a.
we enthusiastically agreed, almost worth
TIE ren, itself; and we made 10 resis-
tance when the house agent, who must
have had some amusement over our in
nocence and inexperience, fixed us for q
seven years lease, representing to us
that our advantage were almost un-
equalled, having sno premium to pay.
We consented-in consideration Of all be
enumerated in favor Of our bargain-,o
make any repairs that were necessary I;
and in fact were in such delight with
the whole affair that the agreement, as
might have been expected, WAS very
easily arrived at.


We knew nothing about furnishing /;
never dreamt of the dangers of green
wood or the inevitable result of cheap
investment; thinking. ourselves very
acute TO get hold of two furnishing lists
TO compare prices besides which we sat
down with paper and pencil to calculate
exactly how much we must spend and
l, remembering Uncle Jocelyn's advice,
ventured TO say we should resolve not TO
go beyond it, We came to the conclu-
sion that actual necessaries might be
bought, taking the prices fiom the books,
for goo, with which we felt sure the
house could be really nicely done and
this sum lie was to pay interest for until
the PRINCIPAL itself was paid off,


Nothing could have surpassed our
prudence before we set out. When We
got into the shop we had selected as the
one to patronize we found that the
thing. we had thought of were very in
ferior to our imaginings; tiihe more
here and a trifle more there could make
no great difference IN the sum total and
be everything to us in the niceness and
prettiness of our house besides which
our estimate Of necessaries proved very
Inadequate one when innumerable etce-
teras were declared absolutely indispen-
sible by the attendant shopkeeper. We
made apparently endless purchases,
which we could hardly remember until
they were deposited in Amberley Villas,
where, with my newly engaged domes-
tics, | awaited them with immense de-
light.


But vast as the importation appeared,
had vet to learn Of the legion Of wsnts
undreamt of by us. Scarcely day
passed without some new demand being
made, which apparently it was perfectly
impossible TO do without. But at last
was thoroughly satisfied with our posses
sIbIlr, tiu tilt ctVthtb W navy
come to the end of their requirements
No the only thing we had TO think of wa
the bill which had not yet been sent int,
us. was frightened to think about il
but Henry was quite prepared for it
being considerably y over the f200. Judg'
of our disnay when we did receive il Il
find it more than twice that sum-f45'
odd There we're friyhtful entries 70
time, which in themselves represented
a serious item, and upon which we hac
never calculated; and our small sundries
which we baG hardly taken at all int
account, came to something quite appsll
ing.


But the first shock over, the ofendin,
document was thrust aside-it would b.
paid all in good time and for the pres
ent we both resolved to dismiss it iron
our minds. Friends were rapidly gather
ing around us; we must receive and pa,
| visits; 50 il was not very difficult (,
Danish disagreeables, and TO enter will
the greatest enjoyment into the new lif
which lay before us. had fancied ou
house very complete and perfect until


saw some of the elegant drawing room
belonging to my new acquaintance
after that, many deficiencies were plsinl


visible; and in order to supply them W


went to different shops, making variou


purchases, which, as usual, were pu


down to our account. Then came ou


first entertainment with its attendan
expenses, which it was absolutely impo.


sible to avoid ; for in IIenry's position


was, as we thought, most necessary 70


US to maintain good appearance and


as his wife, it was incumbent upon m


TO dress as well and fashionable as


could.