Amelia with being the cause of her death— was so terrible, as nearly to bring on a relapse. In short, she suffered enough, Miss Denys, in the three months after the accident to account for her sadness and the pale gravity of her face."

"But, Edward!" said Flora;

said Flora; "did she

neither see nor hear from him again ?"

"I believe not.

the parting as final.

He must have considered

She saw his marriage

in the 'Times,' about six weeks after; but I understand she never heard direct from himself. He made no effort at reconciliationexpressed no sympathy with the unfortunate catastrophe which had occurred-nor ever sought, so far as she knew, any communication with the family."

Then, with all due respect and consideration for the honour of the superior sex," said

Flora, drawing herself up with dignified

composure, "I should say that Miss Fielder had a fortunate escape. He could not have

loved her."

Pray, Miss Denys," enquired Mr. Clarke, with affected simplicity, "how often must a woman say 'No,' before she is supposed to be in earnest ? I am so extremely ignorant on these points, I must appeal to you as an authority."

፡፡

Flora pretended not to hear, and went on speaking. Certainly, instances of inconstancy are so common, that one ought not to be surprised when they occur; but, theoretically, it would seem incredible that a man should, within two months, profess himself the devoted lover of two different women."

"His tyranny strikes me as the worst and most objectionable feature in his character,' insinuated Mr. Malone. "" How could he? Mr. Astley Boyle has not given us his

opinion on the matter at all.

Ask your

cousin what he thinks of the hero of the

tale, Miss Denys."

Astley, Mr. Malone wishes to know your

opinion," said Flora.

one ?"

"Have you formed

"Yes; I think Mrs. Newton deserves a vote of thanks for her story, which certainly conveys a powerful moral, as reviews say." Astley Boyle fixed his eyes on the narrator of the tale, with a look of

meaning.

considerable

Just at this moment a message was brought to Miss Denys, that her mother was

waiting for her.

parture broke up

She ran away, and her de

the party; for Mr. Malone and Mr. Clarke sauntered off their separate ways, leaving Astley and Mrs. Newton, who slowly returned towards the house together.

Which marks thee of the passionate South,

And not of northern mould!

HARTLEY COLERIDGE.

"WILL you allow me to ask, whether you were indulging in fiction, or narratiug a fact just now, Mrs. Newton ?" was her companion's question as they walked along.

"Fact, I assure you, Mr. Boyle; why?" "I fancied it was a moral story, related with a special purpose," replied Astley, looking at her with laughing eyes, and a conscious expression.

Mrs. Newton coloured a little, but replied:

"One might tell true stories for the sake of their moral; and perhaps they may be the more impressive."

'Yes, when they come à-propos to existing facts," said he, thoughtfully. "When one's head is full of a particular subject, one is apt to detect likenesses otherwise invisible; but I did think you had a special design in your narration; and if so, I thank you for it most heartily."

"Well, if you do not particularly object," replied Mrs. Newton, "I own I wish you would tell me what you supposed to be my