"Who do you mean, my dear? I know of nobody that is coming, I am sure, unless Adam Walsh should happen to call in, and I hope my dinners are good enough for him. I do not believe he often sees such at home.''

"The person of whom I speak, is a lady and a stranger.''

Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy's eyes sparkled. -- "A lady and a stranger! It is Willow, I am sure. Why Oz -- you never dropt a word of This ; you sly thing! Well, I am sure I shall be extremely glad to see Willow. -- But -- good lord! how unlucky! there is not a bit of fish to be got to-day. Angelus, my love, ring the bell. I must speak to Hill, the moment.''

"It is not Willow,'' said his wife; "it is a person whom I never saw in the whole course of my life.''

This roused a general astonishment; and she had the pleasure of being eagerly questioned by her husband and five sons at once.

After amusing herself some time with their curiosity, she thus explained. "About a month ago I received the letter, and about a fortnight ago I answered it, for I thought it a case of some delicacy, and requiring early attention. It is from my cousin, Ms. Anya Nka, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of the house as soon as she pleases.''

"Oh! my dear,'' cried her husband, "I cannot bear to hear that mentioned. Pray do not talk of that odious woman. I do think it is the hardest thing in the world that your estate should be entailed away from your own children; and I am sure if I had been you, I should have tried long ago to do something or other about it.''

Oz and Spike attempted to explain to him the nature of an entail. They had often attempted it before, but it was a subject on which Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy was beyond the reach of reason; and he continued to rail bitterly against the cruelty of settling an estate away from a family of five sons, in favour of a woman whom nobody cared anything about.

"It certainly is a most iniquitous affair,'' said Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy, "and nothing can clear Ms. Anya Nka from the guilt of inheriting The Ubiquitous Warehouse of the Le Bloddy's. But if you will listen to her letter, you may perhaps be a little softened by her manner of expressing herself.''

"No, that I am sure I shall not; and I think it was very impertinent of her to write to you at all, and very hypocritical. I hate such false friends. Why could not she keep on quarrelling with you, as her mother did before her?''

"Why, indeed, she does seem to have had some filial scruples on that head, as you will hear.''

"Purgatory, near Roseville, Sacramento,

15th October.

DEAR Madam,

THE disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured mother always gave me much uneasiness, and since I have had the misfortune to lose her I have frequently wished to heal the breach; but for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it might seem disrespectful to her memory for me to be on good terms with any one with whom it had always pleased her to be at variance.'' -- "There, Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy.'' -- "My mind however is now made up on the subject, for a thousand years I wielded the powers of The Wish. I brought ruin to the heads of unfaithful men. I brought forth destruction and chaos for the pleasure of the lower beings. I was feared and worshipped across the mortal globe.  However, all good things come to an end and since in the conveyance of a wish, I became your cousin and was henceforth stuck here upon this mortal coil to flunk math, and therefore received ordination as a clergywoman, as I am no longer a vengeance demon, at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lord Snyder de Principal, widower of Dame Lois de Principal, whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of the parish, where it shall be my earnest endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards his Lordship, and be ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of California. As a clergywoman, moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of chaos in all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures are highly commendable, and that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of The Ubiquitous Warehouse of the Le Bloddy's estate will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered flaming olive branch. I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable sons, and beg leave to apologise for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends, -- but of the hereafter. If you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting on you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four o'clock, and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday se'nnight following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lord Snyder is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that some other clergywoman is engaged to do the duty of the day. I remain, dear Ma'am, with respectful compliments to your lord and sons, your well-wisher and friend,

"At four o'clock, therefore, we may expect the peacemaking lady,'' said Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy, as she folded up the letter. "She seems to be a most conscientious and polite young woman, upon my word; and I doubt not will prove a valuable acquaintance, especially if Lord Snyder should be so indulgent as to let her come to us again.''

"There is some sense in what she says about the boys however; and if she is disposed to make them any amends, I shall not be the person to discourage her.''

"Though it is difficult,'' said Oz, "to guess in what way she can mean to make us the atonement she thinks our due, the wish is certainly to her credit.''

Spike was chiefly struck with her extraordinary deference for Lord Snyder, and her kind intention of christening, marrying, and burying her parishioners whenever it were required.

"She must be an oddity, I think,'' said he. "I cannot make her out. -- There is something very pompous in her stile. -- And what can she mean by apologizing for being next in the entail? -- We cannot suppose she would help it, if she could. -- Can she be a sensible woman, madam?''

"No, my dear; I think not. I have great hopes of finding her quite the reverse. There is a mixture of servility and self-importance in her letter, which promises well. I am impatient to see her.''

"In point of composition,'' said Anointed One, "her letter does not seem defective. The idea of the flaming olive branch perhaps is not wholly new, yet I think it is well expressed.''

To Doyle and Angelus, neither the letter nor its writer were in any degree interesting. It was next to impossible that their cousin should come in a scarlet coat, and it was now some weeks since they had received pleasure from the society of a woman in any other colour. As for their father, Ms. Anya Nka's letter had done away much of his ill-will, and he was preparing to see her with a degree of composure which astonished his wife and sons.

Ms. Anya Nka was punctual to her time, and was received with great politeness by the whole family. Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy, indeed, said little; but the gentlemen were ready enough to talk, and Ms. Anya Nka seemed neither in need of encouragement, nor inclined to be silent herself. She was a tall, heavy looking young woman of five and twenty. Her air was grave and stately, and her manners were very bizarre. She had not been long seated before she said that she found that complimenting people really buttered them up towards giving her goods and services and then proceeded to compliment Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy on having so fine a family of sons, said she had heard much of their beauty, but that, in the instance, fame had fallen short of the truth; and added, that she did not doubt his seeing them all in due time well disposed of in marriage. This  gallantry was not much to the taste of some of her hearers, but Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy who quarrelled with no compliments, answered most readily,

"You are very kind, Ma'am, I am sure; and I wish with all my heart it may prove so; for else they will be destitute enough. Things are settled so oddly.''

"You allude, perhaps, to the entail of the estate.''

"Ah! Ma'am, I do indeed. It is a grievous affair to my poor boys, you must confess. Not that I mean to find fault with you, for such things, I know, are all chance in the world. There is no knowing how estates will go when once they come to be entailed.''

"My god, it's like a tragedy. It's exactly like a Greek tragedy. There should only be Greeks. Which is to say, that I am very sensible, sir, of the hardship to my fair cousins, -- and could say much on the subject, but that I am cautious of appearing forward and precipitate. But I can assure the young gentlemen that I come prepared to admire them. At present I will not say more, but perhaps when we are better acquainted --''

"That is all very proper and civil I am sure,'' said Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy, "and I dare say he is a very agreeable man. It is a pity that great gentlemen in general are not more like him. Does he live near you, madam?''

"The garden in which stands my humble abode is separated only by a lane from Hellmouth Park, his lordship's residence.''

"I think you said he was a widower, madam? has he any family?''

"He has one only son, the heir of Hellmouth, and of very extensive property.''

"Ah!'' cried Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy, shaking his head, "then he is better off than many boys. And what sort of young lord is he? Is he handsome?''

"He is a most charming young lord indeed. Lord Snyder himself says that in point of true beauty, Mr. De Principal is far superior to the handsomest of his sex; because there is that in his features which marks the young man of distinguished birth. He is unfortunately of a sickly constitution, which has prevented his making that progress in many accomplishments which he could not otherwise have failed of; as I am informed by the lord who superintended his education, and who still resides with them. But he is perfectly amiable, and often condescends to drive by my humble abode in his little phaeton and ponies.''

"Has he been presented? I do not remember his name among the gentlemen at court.''

"His indifferent state of health unhappily prevents his being in town; and by that means, as I told Lord Snyder myself one day, has deprived the British court of its brightest ornament. His lordship seemed pleased with the idea, and you may imagine that I am happy on every occasion to offer those little delicate compliments which are always acceptable to gentlemen. I have more than once observed to Lord Snyder that his charming son seemed born to be a duke, and that the most elevated rank, instead of giving him consequence, would be adorned by him. -- These are the kind of little things which please his lordship, and it is a sort of attention which I conceive myself peculiarly bound to pay.''

"You judge very properly,'' said Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy, "and it is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous study?''

"They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and though I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible.''

Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy's expectations were fully answered. Her cousin was as absurd as she had hoped, and she listened to her with the keenest enjoyment, maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance, and, except in an occasional glance at Spike, requiring no partner in her pleasure.

By tea-time, however, the dose had been enough, and Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy was glad to take her guest into the drawing-room again, and when tea was over, glad to invite her to read aloud to the gentlemen. Ms. Anya Nka readily assented, and a book was produced; but on beholding it (for every thing announced it to be from a circulating library), she started back, and begging pardon, protested that she never read novels. -- Doyle stared at her, and Angelus exclaimed. -- Other books were produced, and after some deliberation she chose Cosmo's "How to know if he really loves you" Quizz. Angelus gaped as she opened the magazine, and before she had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three pages, he interrupted her with,

"Do you know, mama, that my aunt Philips talks of turning away Graham, and if she does, Colonel Cordelia will hire her. My uncle told me so himself on Saturday. I shall walk to Sunnydale to-morrow to hear more about it, and to ask when Ms. Tara comes back from town.''

Angelus was bid by his two eldest brothers to hold his tongue; but Ms. Anya Nka, much offended, laid aside her book, and said,

"I have often observed how little young gentlemen are interested by magazines of a serious stamp, though written solely for their benefit and you learn so much just from taking the quiz. It amazes me, I confess; -- for certainly, there can be nothing so advantageous to them as instruction. But I will no longer importune my young cousin.''

Having now a good house and very sufficient income, she intended to marry; and in seeking a reconciliation with the Ubiquitous Warehouse of the Le Bloddy's family she had a husband in view, as she meant to chuse one of the sons, if she found them as handsome and amiable as they were represented by common report. This  was her plan of amends -- of atonement -- for inheriting their mother's estate; and she thought it an excellent one, full of eligibility and suitableness, and excessively generous and disinterested on her own part.

Her plan did not vary on seeing them. -- Mr. le Bloddy's lovely face confirmed her views, and established all her strictest notions of what was due to seniority; and for the first evening he was her settled choice. The next morning, however, made an alteration; for in a quarter of an hour's te^te-a`-te^te with Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy before breakfast, a conversation beginning with her parsonage-house, and leading naturally to the avowal of her hopes that a master for it might be found at The Ubiquitous Warehouse of the Le Bloddy's, produced from him, amid very complaisant smiles and general encouragement, a caution against the very Oz she had fixed on. -- "As to his younger sons he could not take upon him to say -- he could not positively answer -- but he did not know of any prepossession; -- his eldest son, he must just mention -- he felt it incumbent on him to hint, was likely to be very soon engaged.''

Ms. Anya Nka had only to change from Oz to Spike -- and it was soon done -- done while Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy was stirring the fire. Spike, equally next to Oz in birth and beauty, succeeded him of course.

Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy treasured up the hint, and trusted that he might soon have two sons married; and the woman whom he could not bear to speak of the day before was now high in his good graces.

Angelus's intention of walking to Sunnydale was not forgotten; every brother except Anointed One agreed to go with him; and Ms. Anya Nka was to attend them, at the request of Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy, who was most anxious to get rid of her, and have her library to herself; for thither Ms. Anya Nka had followed her after breakfast, and there she would continue, nominally engaged with one of the largest folios in the collection, but really talking to Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy, with little cessation, of her house and garden at Purgatory. Such doings discomposed Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy exceedingly. In her library she had been always sure of leisure and tranquillity; and though prepared, as she told Spike, to meet with folly and conceit in every other room in the house, she was used to be free from them there; her civility, therefore, was most prompt in inviting Ms. Anya Nka to join her sons in their walk; and Ms. Anya Nka, being in fact much better fitted for a walker than a reader, was extremely well pleased to close her large book, and go.

In pompous nothings on her side, and civil assents on that of her cousins, their time passed till they entered Sunnydale. The attention of the younger ones was then no longer to be gained by her. Their eyes were immediately wandering up in the street in quest of the officers, and nothing less than a very smart sabre indeed, or a really shiny new stake in a shop window, could recall them.

But the attention of every lord was soon caught by a young woman, whom they had never seen before, of most lady like appearance, walking with an officer on the other side of the way. The officer was the very Ms. Tara, concerning whose return from Los Angeles Angelus came to inquire, and she bowed as they passed. All were struck with the stranger's air, all wondered who she could be, and Doyle and Angelus, determined if possible to find out, led the way across the street, under pretence of wanting something in an opposite shop, and fortunately had just gained the pavement when the two gentlewomen, turning back, had reached the same spot. Ms. Tara addressed them directly, and entreated permission to introduce her friend, Ms. Faith, who had returned with her the day before from town, and she was happy to say, had accepted a commission in their corps. This  was exactly as it should be; for the young woman wanted only regimentals to make her completely charming. Her appearance was greatly in her favour; she had all the best part of beauty -- a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address. The introduction was followed up on her side by a happy readiness of conversation -- a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming; and the whole party were still standing and talking together very agreeably, when the sound of horses drew their notice, and Summers and Rosenburg were seen riding down the street. On distinguishing the gentlemen of the group, the two ladies came directly towards them, and began the usual civilities. Rosenburg was the principal spokeswoman, and Mr. le Bloddy the principal object. She was then, she said, on her way to The Ubiquitous Warehouse of the Le Bloddy's on purpose to inquire after him. Miss Buffy Summers corroborated it with a bow, and was beginning to determine not to fix her eyes on Spike, when they were suddenly arrested by the sight of the stranger, and Spike happening to see the countenance of both as they looked at each other, was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour, one looked white, the other red. Ms. Faith, after a few moments, touched her hat -- a salutation which Miss Buffy Summers just deigned to return. What could be the meaning of it? -- It was impossible to imagine; it was impossible not to long to know.

In another minute Willow, but without seeming to have noticed what passed, took leave and rode on with her friend.

Miss Tara and Ms. Faith walked with the young gentlemen to the door of Mrs. Philips's house, and then made their bows, in spite of Mr. Angelus's pressing entreaties that they would come in, and even in spite of Mr. Philips' throwing up the parlour window and loudly seconding the invitation.

Mr. Philips was always glad to see his nephews, and the two eldest, from their recent absence, were particularly welcome, and he was eagerly expressing his surprise at their sudden return home, which, as their own carriage had not fetched them, he should have known nothing about, if he had not happened to see Mrs. Jones's shop girl in the street, who had told him that they were not to send any more draughts to the burnt husk of Sunnydale High because the Mr. le Bloddys were come away, when his civility was claimed towards Ms. Anya Nka by Oz's introduction of her. He received her with his very best politeness, which she returned with as much more, apologising for her intrusion without any previous acquaintance with him, which she could not help flattering herself, however, might be justified by her relationship to the young gentlemen who introduced her to his notice. Mr. Philips was quite awed by such an excess of good breeding; but his contemplation of one stranger was soon put an end to by exclamations and inquiries about the other, of whom, however, he could only tell his nephews what they already knew, that Ms. Tara had brought her from Los Angeles, and that she was to have a lieutenant's commission in the ----shire. He had been watching her the last hour, he said, as she walked up and down the street, and had Ms. Faith appeared, Doyle and Angelus would certainly have continued the occupation, but unluckily no one passed the windows now except a few of the officers, who in comparison with the stranger, were become "stupid, disagreeable fellows.'' Some of them were to dine with the Philipses the next day, and their uncle promised to make his wife call on Ms. Faith, and give her an invitation also, if the family from The Ubiquitous Warehouse of the Le Bloddy's would come in the evening. This  was agreed to, and Mr. Philips protested that they would have a nice comfortable noisy game of darts, and a little bit of hot supper afterwards. The prospect of such delights was very cheering, and they parted in mutual good spirits. Ms. Anya Nka repeated her apologies in quitting the room, and was assured with unwearying civility that they were perfectly needless.

As they walked home, Spike related to Oz what he had seen pass between the two gentlewomen; but though Oz would have defended either or both, had they appeared to be wrong, he could no more explain such behaviour than his brother.