hands to her face in lovely co

Christopher, stiffly, bu

n against you. I walk so fast

rt

en, frigh

ans

red softly, and in a hesitating tone that belied it. She started off, however, but much more slowly than she was going before; and, as she went, she turned her head wit

y, and womanly, was too much for him, as it has generally proved for males, and the philosopher's

onfused, Rosa radiant and glowing, yet not knowing what to say for herse

nly an acquaintance. A lover he never dreamed of; she had shown such eviden

ealousy, turned on his heel with an audible curse, and found Phoebe Dale a few yards behind him with a white

etter, Mis

es? I am health it

as agreed with you?

ot that. Oh, please don't m

yes scanned Christopher's face, and her conscience smote her at the signs of suffering. She felt a desire to beg his pardon with deep humility; but she suppressed

awkward habit of speaking the truth; and some people ca

hings," said Rosa, deprecatingly; then sof

d of your old lover, for loving you too well and telling you the truth, than you

sa, thoroughly alarmed. "Me, a lover! He

ew and far between?" And the true lover's br

a moment. "Ask papa," she said. "His

do not call on old gentlemen when there

ersion. "So," said she, with a sudden air of lofty disdain

ly hear what

how little you really cared for me. Well, if you had

d Christopher,

se-that somebody really loved me, and would meet me, and beg my pardon; and if he had, I should have told him it was only my tongue, and my nerves, and things; my heart was his, and my gratitu

nquire f

hat I should be sorry the moment you were gone. I

nderstand. You did? The

A good, obedient girl, a

't say

ve anybody but you, when I owe you my love and my life, I must be a heartless, u

, taking her in his arms. "I beg

, and began to sigh. "Oh, dear, dear! I am a

er to put an end to all these unhappy misunderstandin

. But," said she, slyly, "you never can be so foolish t

that?" asked Christ

ould lose even the one, if you were to marry me. Oh, husbands are

read all in a moment: he even intimated that he himself had experienced no little difficulty in understanding her at odd times. "And

reature less ingenious than a lover: it pleased her hugely; her fine eyes sparkled, and she nestled

ached her father's door, it was settled that he should dine there that day, and urge his su

home like one who has awakened from a

gcart, driven by an exquisite. He turned to lo

came over him. But he recovered himself directly, and sa

events, the dogcart stood at the do

utes: five, ten, fifteen, twenty minut

and strode back to Gravesend, resolving that all t

Essex, and one of the happiest young women i

l to oblige the vicar; wrote a neat hand, and was a good arithmetician, kept all the house accounts and farm accounts. She was a musician, too,-not profound, but very correct. She would take her turn at the harmonium in church, and, when she was there, you never heard a wrong note

ut she belonged to a small class of women in this island who are not too high to use their arms, nor too low to cultivate their minds;

inside, compared with Luxury's soft palm; a face honest, fair, and rather large than small; not beautiful, but exceedingly comely; a complexion not pink and white, but that delicately blended brickdusty color, which tints the whole cheek in fine gradation, outlasts other complexions twenty years, and beautifies the true Northern, even in old ag

he farmer had him taken in. The doctor said he must not be moved. He was insensible; his cheek like delicate wax; his fair hair like silk stained with blood. He became

to her, and telling her a pack of arrant lies, she was a ready dupe. He was to marry her as soon as ever his old uncle died, and left him the means,

Falcon at his real address. She found he did not live there-only received letters. However, half-a-crown soon bought his real address, and thither Phoebe proceeded w

for Mr. Falcon, and was shown in to a lady r

turned pale as ashes. She was para

matter now?" said

ried to Regi

m. Look at my

re," faltered Phoebe, re

no more, but found her way, Heaven knows how, into the street, and there leaned, half-fainting, on a ra

rt," said she, in her low, mell

ngregated directly, and she left the street. But she soo

She seized him by the breast,

pudence, and blurted out excuses. It was an old and unfortunate connection;

se himself: he must par

d this man of brass; "I'll

rrow at noon"-She said no more, but looked a great deal. Then she departed, an

played the penitent so skilfully for about a month, that she forgave

long. He was detected in an

herself, to her parents' satisfaction,

fits of weeping, and could se

sted affection, he waylaid her, and clung to her knees, and shed crocodile tears on her hands, and, after a long resistance, violent at first, but fainter and

write to one. His letters fed the unhappy flame; and, mind you, he sometimes deceived himself, and thought he loved her; but it was only himse

had the sense to make a struggle. She implored him, on her very knees, to show her a little mercy in return for all her love. "For pity's sake, leave me!" she cried. "You

s worthy woman. She was a reader, a thinker, a model of respectability, industry, and sense; a businesswoman, keen and practical; could encounter sharp hands in sharp trades; could buy or sell hogs, calves, or beasts wit

s had drawn a tell-tale wrin

roused her suspicion and stung her jealousy; she came up

g, she soon found out that Mr. Falcon was there with a showy dogcart. "Ah!" thought Phoe

She tied on her bonnet as rapidly, and followed him, until she discovered the object of his pursuit. It was a surprise to her, and a puzzle, to see another man step

ng silence for some time, durin

ime," said she, in her

s

, fine-built gentleman. But I suppose you care

l not try to deceive you. You have

nk I have

ts value-two or three writs out against me-that is why I slipped down here. My only chance is to marry Money. Her father knows I have land, and he knows nothing about the mortgages; she is his only daughter. Don't stand in my way, that is a good girl; be my friend, as you always were. Hang it all, Phoebe,

ibable look, that made even his ca

orth all those powers of persuading and soothing, which had so often proved irresistible. But this time

nt shudder, she turned and shook him fier

as THOU. Go thy ways, man, and let me go mine." In her passion she dropped

but he soon recovered his cynical egotism,

ked herself to and fro for hours in the bitterest agony the heart can

ight boys. She saw at a glance he was gone courting; her knees gave way under her, and, such is the power of the mind, this stalwart girl lay weak as water on the sofa,

tremor that flattered his hopes. He told her, in charming language, ho

e to interrupt him, but was too polite. She heard him out

y. "O Mr. Falcon!" she cried, "how can you speak to

r you would never have given

rt-a little; and everybody here k

ever saw

went; so she blushed, and faltered out

me as cat's-paw to bring him on ag

ul tact ret

I could not help appreciating you, and I thought you knew I was engaged, and so I was less on my guard. I hope I shall not

ters of the Nile, better known to

quarrelling with her. So he ground his teeth, and said, "May your own heart never fee

emoniously a

u, you heartless jilt, and the man you have j

n his life, heart-sick, and drew up at his lodging

sturbance this caused collected a tiny crowd, gaping and grinning, and

hem," said he, with an oath. "I'll have a b

eered him fo

fed the officer and the crowd,

in couples with the other, stepped forward an

y alarmed. "Why, Cartwright," said he, "this is too bad. You prom

ing his voice, "What call had you to boast in your club you had made it right with Bill Cartwright, and he'd never see you? That got about, and so I was bou

owing a cloud. When you young gents gets a-smoking together, you'd te

enty-six pounds. I

hat; there's

and I'll s

sir. Jem, wa

at game with a sharp ha

d Cartwright; but he was softe

alcon began by saying i

was a-going to pay

er the way that could, if she chose.

s a she, it

ut give me a little time. Here! have a glass

d out. The crowd had followed the captured dogcart, so he had the street to himse

ly natural and sweet, "I shall never offend you again

said Phoebe

tarted to propose to her; but I had no

her, it will be some other,

so hard on me in troubl

supp

think. I am only taken for a

ested Cartwright, in a muffled whis

use, detainers will pour in, and my cr

your wickedness, and I shall be at peace. That's what

e you ever inside a prison? Just think what it must be to be cooped up in t

been a-courting. There was a time I'd have died sooner than see a h

e began

"I'll pack up my things, and go with the officer. Give me one kind

p sigh, told Cartwright, cheerfully, it was

ow and cried bitterly. Her word

he attendant called a cab. His things were thrown in, and Cartwright invited him to follow. Then he looked

iteous and mute appeal. She opened the window, and asked Mr.

be's lodgings. She came down herself and let him in. She led the way upstairs, motion

ered some words of regret that

d more for him than that, many's the time." Then, drying her eyes, "But

well, and can palaver a girl, no doubt; but bless your heart, I can see at a glance he is not worth your little finger, an honest, decent young woman like y

to prison, I should sit me down and think of his parting look, and I

anyway. While there'

the handsome egotist into temporary retirement, to wit, at a village five miles from the Dales' farm. She was too ashamed of her young gentleman and herself to be seen with him in her native village. On the road down he was full of little practical attentions; she received them coldly; his mellifluous mouth was often at her car, pouring thanks and praises into it; s

found his dau

e, a little peevishly. "We have had n

rudent girl. I have been flirting with Mr. Falcon, and he has taken

thing like land. They may well call it real property-there is something to show; y

? Would you have me marry one

belong to any o

I belong to my d

ging your pardon. The man was your able physician and your best friend, an

he has a

eing treated

vents, he has apologized, as a ge

lady is in

nd I have asked

e downright glad to see him a

ppy you were about me! They were killing me. He came and saved me. Yes, papa, I owe all this health and strength to Christopher. I did take them off, the very next day, and see the effect of it and my long walks. I owe him my life, and what I value far more, my good looks. La! I wish I had not t

te

e only man who is fit to take care of her. Oh, papa! think of his deep, deep affection for me,

identally asked to dinner, may, by some strange fortuity, be surprised into ask

I tell what gentlemen will say when the ladies

at's true; when the wine

him, and how much I love him, and ought to love him." She then bestowed a propitiatory

al. Mr. Lusignan comme

is," said R

lp feeling that before long his fate must be settled. He would either obtain Rosa's hand, or have to resign her to some man of fortune who would

d another propitiatory kiss on her father's head, and retired with

ourage of lions, and he co