to send me this intimation that she had promised
her influence with me in reference to Ethel—-
who is her great favourite—-on behalf of Sir
Edward Tottenham, who has been eagerly
desiring to improve the acquaintance he made with
her at the county ball. Now, my dear Dick, to
offend Mrs. Mompesson is——"

"Just so, my dear sir. It must not be. To
say the truth, until you fairly presented one of
your fair daughters to me at the altar, I should
not regard my happiness as secured."

"Oh, Dick, this must not end so!" said the
squire, with genuine regret and feeling. " After
all, there's Leonora."

"The eighth attempt, sir, may be more prosperous,"
I replied, rather bitterly; " let it be
so. Do with me as you please. My affections
have been so perpetually nipped, that I
don't think they ought to be expected to bud
again without some assurance that they will be
allowed to blow."

"Come, that is but fair," said the squire.
"Hark ye, Dick. My Leonora has no will, no
fancy, except what is mine. Will you take that
assurance? She is a dear good girl, and,
though she is at this moment out for a walk,
you may—-yes, I am sure you may—-consider
yourself as engaged."

I bowed, and remembered, with some satisfaction,
that my letter to my uncle was not yet
gone. Of the fair Leonora I knew little—-
had never, in point of fact, addressed a single
observation to that young lady. But I felt
sure that I should like her. I had remarked
the beautiful acquiescent disposition of these
young people. Moreover, the selection had
assumed that character which has immortalised
the late Mr. Hobson—-Leonora, or nothing.
We shook hands (as before), and, subject to
the young lady's approval, the matter was
arranged.

Mr. Crowdie was still speaking, when Alice,
the invalid, was wheeled into the room. Her
father's voice and manner always, I had
noticed, underwent a softening change in the
presence of this his favourite child. Kissing her
tenderly, he intimated to her the connexion I
was about to form with the family, and then,
leaving us together, hurried away with his wife
to meet Leonora.

I glanced at my companion. The pure and
spiritual beauty of her face was marred by an
expression of pain.

"I fear you are suffering," I said.

"In mind, yes," said Alice, " but not in body.
I am, in reality—-Heaven be praised for it!—-
much better."

"Indeed. Believe me, I rejoice to hear that
there is a possib——"

"I see," replied Alice, with her bright
angelic smile, "that you partake the impression
that has gone abroad—-that I am deformed. It
is not so. Patience and a change of climate
are all—-so says my doctor—-that I need, to
regain a certain, if not robust, health. " But it is
not of this I wish to speak," she added,
hastily. " Oh, Mr. Purkiss, what are you about
to do? Is the human heart a toy, to be passed
from hand to hand—-given, retaken, crushed
perhaps at last—-without one compassionate
scruple for the treasures of true and abiding
love that might have flourished there? I have
seen all that has passed. You have a kind, easy
—-perhaps susceptible, nature. The deference
we girls have been accustomed to pay to our
parents' wishes, and our fond attachment to
each other, have co-operated with this, and led
to much of what has occurred. You have
scarcely seen Leonora, never spoken to her.
In spite of a cold temperament, she is a good,
sweet girl, and you may doubtless win her; but
to do so in a manner that would satisfy a
generous, kindly nature, will require more time,
and a far more delicate procedure, than you
seem to consider needful."

"I accept the censure," said I, feeling
rather ashamed. "I have but to say, in
extenuation, that, having lived up to this
advanced period of my life, perfectly fancy-free—-
a fact which somewhat negatives my 'susceptibility'—-
I found myself surrounded by so many
charms at once, that my judgment became
bewildered, and proved unequal to the situation.
Now, I see clearly. Ah, that I had had such a
monitor before."

"Nay, it is not too late," she began, eagerly.

"I know it is not too late; for Leonora, I
recal my absurd pretensions. They would be
little short of insult. But, oh, in opening my
eyes, you have shown me too much for my
own peace."

"What do you mean?"

"Had I known you sooner, your wisdom,
your sweetness—-oh, if even now——"

"Hush! Mr. Purkiss. You are mad."

"I have been mad hitherto, but now I am
sane—-and wretched. See—-I am going to
leave you; for how can I plead? Why should
you believe me? Yet, Alice, I love you—-you
only. I may never deserve you, sweet angel;
but no one else shall ever be my wife. Farewell;
and when you hear that I have made
another choice, despise—-forget me!"

   *      *     *     *     *     *     *     *

" My dear Dick.—-Are you engaged?
          "  Yours impatiently,
                      "Richard Purkiss"

(Ans.)
" My dear Uncle. Busily engaged. I have
been affianced to eight of your fair friends, and
have now to seek your blessing on my union
with the beloved ninth!
           " Your dutiful nephew,
                     "Dick"

The marriage-feast passed off admirably. I
was not alone in my glory. Sir Hugh Sagramore
and Mr. Lowry found brides the same
day. Adelaide and the rest were bridesmaids.
A diamond bracelet, thirteen laced pocket-
handkerchiefs, two fans, and a silver spoon,
were mysteriously missed, and as mysteriously
restored, at night, to their owners.

My sweet wife and I returned to England