heart may p

she love

lead, with

smooth ro

flame, destr

blind mislea

h a moth

t, and her voice full of animation. It might have been vanity that made the sparkle of those eyes so brilliant, and her smiles so frequent, but as her merry laugh echoed

her feelings were really stirred by any strong impulse of good or evil; but so uncommon were these indications of mind, that no one could regard them a

ny figure for the admiration of spectators; feeling her little heart bound when perhaps she attracted notice from being the smallest and gayest of her companions. Then, in the juvenile party, where the lesson of the morning could be so well dis

ng ball, with its glare of light, its flirtations and too visible admiration, and the morning promenade, concert, or town gossip, served to keep up the excited, though

admiration of a fine picture, and the sight of a rich landscape elevates the feelings of him who gazes upon it; we picture angels beautiful, and we look forward to a heaven where all is perfect beauty. It cannot then be valu

om the frivolous admiration of a gay city; she had heard it praised in others as if of the greatest impo

f the next morning, during the hours usually occupied by Mabel in attending to Amy's lessons, in selecting from her wardrobe a dress best suited for the occasi

, persisted in attending to Lucy's questions, and in the evening the latter f

her cousin's room, and stopping to take another peep in the glass, wit

think it of so much consequence, that no woman should be indifferent to it, when at her toilet, or with her milliner. They say a

lt with my dress to-

pent the observation, for Lucy insisted on going over her whole box of jewelry to find a substitute, and was scarcely ready by the time

garden gate. Mabel hurried forward to meet h

a hand to each, "my sister has no mean opinion of her own

cious beauty, while Ma

Ware. I fear then, you would no

uld have done; but here is Arthur, no dou

low voice to be introduced to her lovely cousin. The "lovely," was pronounced distinctly enough to reach Lucy's

amongst the evergreens in the shrubbery; and Lucy Villars gladly seized the opportunity of commencing a flirting conversation w

thought from every topic they chose. He had been kind to her when a firm friend had been most needed, and sh

erhaps, the best return she could have thought of. We value most that fo

ay within reach of Aston, and her elegant mind supplied what would otherwise have been wan

fear," he said, as they walked back towar

h us whenever you have time. No one can shew the the beauties of our county b

ed to gratify you, if not, to punish

aid Mabel, eagerly, "hypocrisy is so hateful. T

ng to do any thing delightful out of doors, like a walk or a nutting expedition, ask us to join you, and we will do the sam

, that on some days mamma feels so low that I never leave her-t

such an arrangement. Only tell her we mean to take her by storm some night and come to te

m sure," said Mabel, "if you will only p

l her when I see her next,"

ndow of the sitting-room, where

at this time of day so often gives me cold, that I had not

s Ware, I should not have been

n to talk to Edwin there is no leaving off; but I hope you have not for

said Mabel, turning round,

I believe," said Mr. Ware, "and t

ar, and then they were seen advancing down the gravel

ch upon us, Arthur, where have you bee

onfession?" asked the you

ing here; but sit down to tea first, a

ogise for a very grave offence in keeping Miss Lucy Villars so long absent; the whole crime, I fear,

ur," said his unc

sition, you must let a poor fellow express himself as he can, so that he speaks the truth. So to proceed; we were talking of country pursuits, and Miss Lucy could not understand how I could c

th regret that a new spirit had entered their small circle of society, whose influence might do much

mpliment to the sweetest village in England; though, my dear aunt, vegetation is vegetat

which her ever kind heart told her was giving pain. Clair bowed, and then said almost in

it, and you know how difficult it is to refuse to gratify a lady's taste for a hobby of our own, therefore, we proceeded to the stable, where, after some time being spent in the ascent of the ladder, in looking at my tools, and all my attempts at carpentering rickety garden ch

ry about nothing

of the public, and feel myself ill-used to find it not appreciated. Miss Lucy you play chess, you said

th which she was so soon treated, by some evidence of woman's tact; but she very soon saw her seated by the little chess-table, in the corner,

ffection and respect, but studiously endeavoured to engage their attention, and to prevent their thinking of it. Still, it is never so d

ior play would never have won, Captain Clair shut up the board,

"that Captain Clair came home f

Ware tol

me in begging a d

"Captain Clair does n

ing to him, "give us a nic

gin," said he, "particularly as y

ing to see us in Bath. But now do describe him," s

have to describe a character th

listening at this modest avowal; "true prais

on, at least, I have often found it so; but that shall not prevent my giving as faith

er," said Luc

ey. What shall I begin with? A man's agreeable qualities are generally judged by his acres; allow me," said he, waving his hand towards the window, and pointing to

ooked at her scrutinisingly, till

tall, and broad shouldered, and athletic; yet, at the same time, though he is as strong as a giant, you might almost call him graceful. He seems to have acquired the difficult art of standing perfectly still; no

means," said Lucy, "t

that of a proud, contemptuous, arrogant man-the smile, that of an infant. Then, his eye-there is no describing his eye-you, may remember it, uncle; it seems as if cont

id man!" exc

ance you, by his eloquent observations on men, and things; and you will invite your friends to meet him, expecting them to be equally fascinated; but, perhaps, during the whole evening, he will scarcely make even a com

ow," sighe

s in love," s

he, I should never despair-but I own," said he, laugh

your description of our lord of the manor, though you have made

ll allow me to see y

if you will come with us, as there are two ladies

an she so decidedly disliked, that she insisted on keeping her pocket-handkerchief to her mouth the whole way home, though the nigh

r room, for fear of waking Amy-but she insisted on following her, without stopping to remark the expression of unusual palen

me go down till I gave him some reward; of course I knew he wanted a kiss, but I was not going to give it him, and so I stood still, till I

prudent as to go up there alone-how impertinent

look like an old maid. What is the harm of having a kiss on one's hand, one'

llow him to ask such a thing-will it not make you appear a flirt-does it not lower

hate being cross at every little thing. I am

me, we will talk of it again to-morrow, for now poor Amy is waking. You know," said she, gently putting her arm round her pretty

mile, "to go up in the loft, and so I will try and be better in future. Oh dear! dear! Amy is awake; well, I am very sorry. Go

rectory, for, as she sunk to rest, with Amy's head upon her arm, she remembered, that if sorrow had ever laid its heavy hand upon her life, the treasure of a si