racter to support of an excellent husband; it was unpleasant to be disturbed in the first approaches of that sleep so conducive to digestion; but he could not see his wife in tears, without an inquiry as to their cause. She abandoned to him her passive hand, but it was some time before her grief found words.
"Ah! Penrhyn," at last she exclaimed, in the sweetest of reproachful whispers, "what have I done to lose your love?" Her most innocent feeling stood aghast. "I remember the time," continued the weeping lady, "when the least wish of mine was sufficient."
"I am sure," exclaimed her bewildered auditor, "I do every thing I can to please you."
"Yet," resumed his wife, "how harshly you refused me those tables to-day!"
"Is that all?" said Lord Penrhyn.
"All!" said her ladyship, her grief taking a slight tone of resentment; "is it not enough for me to find that you no longer care for any wish of mine?"
"My dearest Julia," exclaimed the relieved husband, "you shall have the tables."
"I do not care for them; I would not have them now," cried Lady Penrhyn; "it is only your affection I care for. Do not suppose, for a moment, that I wish for the tables when you do not: oh, no! my only concern was for your indifference. But I am content if you tell me I was mistaken."
"Mistaken indeed, my dear love," returned his lordship, "if you thought me indifferent. You shall have the tables to-morrow."
