given way under it. Frank, who was near me, whispered that | room. Frank tried to draw me into conversation, but it was he was sure she'd carry away something some day, and told useless, so I took a turn in the garden to dissipate my ill-humor. her face to face that she ought to be fed on pickled periwinkles, When I returned to the drawing-room, I had somewhat reand that he thought she would get fat on them. covered my spirits, but as I did not feel equal to general conversation, I retired to a sofa, complaining of headache. I had not been there many minutes, when Julia came and seated herself by my side, saying, Cousin, you are not in spirits tonight; what's the matter?"

The widow, however, did not resent this sally, but said he was a sad young dog, and that if she caught him near her, she'd serve him as they served the periwinkles, at the same time showing him a large pin.

Whether it was Frank's periwinkles or the mother's pin that stuck in her throat, I cannot say, but at this juncture Miss Stuggles went off into a fit of suppressed laughter, and was discovered in her chair almost black in the face, and it was not until she had gone through a series of choking and coughing, and Julia had patted her back most energetically, that she could be in any way restored.

"What is the matter with you, Madge?" said Mrs. Stuggles. "I can't help it, ma!" replied the timid Madge, and went into fresh paroxysms of choking.

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66

Nothing," I answered; "I've only had one of Mrs. Stuggles's pills."

"I'm sure Mrs. Stuggles did not mean any harm," said she, soothingly; "she's a kind-hearted old creature, and has but two failings; one is her love for news, or, in other words, scandal, and the other is her incessant rattle. Poor old lady, she does so like to hear herself talk!" "Then you

แ

think the pills go for nothing?"

"That was her husband's fad. He was a very clever and highly respected physician, but he took it into his head that he "It's quite ridiculous!" said the fat widow. Julia, dear, had made a great discovery in this soap pill, and he got so give her a good knock on the back." laughed at that he died of vexation; but it won't do to tell "Shall I do it?" cried Frank, who seemed taken with the the poor old dear so, for she thinks there never was such a man idea; "I can hit harder than Julia." Whereupon Miss Stug-in the world, and that the pill will cure everything."

gles suddenly subsided, but in excuse for a slight return of the malady, she said, modestly and faintly, "I never heard of pickled periwinkles before."

Dinner passed off pleasantly enough; the viands were good, exquisitely served, and cooked to perfection. A delicious dessert, and a few glasses of good old wine, set all our tongues a-going. It will not, however, be necessary to particularize the small-talk of the table, nor how Julia and I got very confidential; or how Helen and Fielding. got very close together, and I fancied (I might be mistaken) that he squeezed her hand under the table.

Frank, who had been in deep conversation with Fielding, now broached the subject of "The Meet," and, to my astonishIment and discomfort, Mrs. Rowcroft readily consented; and thus was I, who had never leaped a ditch in my life, engaged to go hunting with two crack riders; hairbrained fellows, who thought nothing of hedge; and ditches, and five-barred gates.

Fielding, who had by this time got quite at home, gave us some very animated descriptions of hunting and racing; and discussed other congenial topics. Mrs. Stuggles was entertaining my aunt with a series of lectures on household economy, the management of servants, and the proper treatment of babies.

Helen and Julia exhibited their skill, both vocal and instru

I do not wish to be understood that I watched these two lovers, for such I was now convinced they were, but I do know that when they thought I was, as I ought to have been, en-mental; and then Miss Stuggles, after a hundred excuses, grossed with a plate of stewed eels, they exchanged glances of the utmost significance; and Fielding heaved a sigh that nearly blew out the candles. In the meantime Frank suddenly and stealthily dived under the table, and, imitating his famous terrier pup, seized and worried Miss Stuggles's dress till she nearly fainted with alarm, and when she knew that it was only Frank, she went into another fit of laughter, ending in the usual blocking up of the windpipe and patting on the back.

Under the agreeable influence of Julia's bright eyes and Mrs. Rowcroft's sparkling old port, I talked away in a style of brilliancy I had never before exhibited, and I was amply rewarded by the good-humored smile of my hostess. Mrs. Stuggles laughed til her fat cheeks shook like a dish of jelly; while the ringing melody of Julia's laugh, applauding my gay sallies, and the smiles and blushes of the rest of the ladies, showed that they were at least highly relished by them.

skipped across the room, seated herself at the piano, and began a most poetic description of her woes and miseries; and concluded each verse with a pathetic invitation to some imaginary person to "Come and be her love," but as the inducement, I suppose, was not considered equivalent to the risk, this individual did not respond to her call, and therefore she ended the last verse in great despair, aud with such a terrible crash of music as seemed to leave the poor piano breathless and exhausted.

The evening passed delightfully. I was rather vexed, though, to have the adventure of the morning recounted to Mrs. Stuggles. Helen told the story in her own simple way, and did me more than justice; but Julia, who sat by my side, wanted to color it still more highly, and insisted that I was as brave as a hero; which I with great modesty disclaimed.

Mrs. Stuggles, who never did anything by halves, went into ecstasies of admiration; and Miss Stuggles, in the most simple manner possible, asked if we did not find it rather w-e-t?

All was going on merrily, when suddenly I heard my uncle's name mentioned. Of course I was all attention. I could listen to his praises with the greatest complacency; but when my own How swiftly flew the hours, yet often, as I sat by Julia's side, name was mentioned, and I was called a sad dog and a scape- my heart was agonised by the thought that in a few days I grace, and all sorts of things laid to my charge that I posi- should be separated from her, perhaps for ever. I felt that tively knew nothing of, I really nearly lost my temper. though she possessed a degree of feminine softness which might It is a most annoying thing to have to sit by and hear your- lead a superficial observer to think she was wanting in firmness; self vilified, without being able to defend your character. But and although she was naturally vivacious, and therefore someI kept down my rising choler till Mrs. Stuggles said she had times appeared rather coquettish, she had not a particle of heard that I ran away with an innkeeper's daughter, and that coquetry about her; and was by no means wanting in stability I was a great rake. I could not sit silent under such an impu- of character. I felt, too, that I should have no chance of gaintation, and therefore I said, "Pardon me, madam, but who is ing her affections unless I proved myself worthy of her; and your authority for this delicious bit of scandal? The gentle- how was I to do that when my very introduction was a fraud? man is a friend of mine, and I cannot hear his name and character thus dealt without speaking."

"I'm sure," said Mrs. Stuggles, "I did not intend any offence. I only give you the report as I heard. it. I know nothing more than that he has the reputation of doing the most outrageous things with the best grace possible."

"Then, madam, would it not have been wiser to have been more guarded in your expressions?" I said, with some degree of indignation. "And as for the story of the elopement, I can say with safety that there is no foundation for such a report." This little fracas put me thoroughly out of sorts, and I was greatly relieved by the departure of the ladies for the drawing

Helen made several efforts to speak to me privately, and at last came and sat by me; and when an opportunity offered she said to me, "Cousin, I want to say something to you privately, will you take a walk in the shrubbery to-morrow morning before breakfast? What I have to say is most important!" 'Certainly! my dear cousin," I answered, "with much pleasure."

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CHAPTER IV.

I Do not know anything more delightful than to have your slumbers dissipated by the bright rays of the morning sun, and the harmonious sounds which are the usual concomitants of a

rural residence. By degrees you awake from that pleasing halfconscious state which can only proceed from sound and refresh ing slumber, and become aware that you have passed from dreamland into actual life.

When I was fairly awake the sun was streaming into my bedroom, the birds were chirping in the now almost leafless vine which grew around the window; a lusty cock was sounding his clarion as though he thought I, had slept long enough; while the cackling of hens, giving note of their fecundity and early rising, the lowing of cows, the barking of dogs, and many other rural sounds, told me that nature was up and stirring, and that if I intended to keep my appointment with Helen I must follow her example.

What are

Frank came dashing through, exclaiming, “Hallo!
you two doing here? come, breakfast is ready, and mamma is
waiting. What the dickens have you been crying about,
Helen? Has he been naughty? shall I thrash him?"

I was vexed and annoyed at this interruption, but, putting on the best face I could, I laughed at his sally, and Helen ran in to prepare herself for breakfast. When she appeared no traces of her agitation were visible.

Breakfast being over, our horses were brought round, and we started for the meet. Our hunters had been sent on early, and therefore we did not spare our hacks. Fielding met us on the road, and his manly hearty welcome dispelled, in some measure, the strange suspicions Helen's conduct this morning had

A ride of twenty minutes brought us to Stickney Point, where the hounds were to throw off. Frank's horse was a fine, spirited animal, and Fielding was mounted on a beautiful chestnutwhile Thunderer, the one I was to ride, was a large wiry beast, with an eye that to my mind betokened mischief; but, as I had not any reputation as a rider, I was afraid to say anything. After some delay the fox broke cover, and the view halloo being given, away we went. As soon as my steed heard the thetically; and I, instead of being timid, felt exhilarated and of the pack, he pricked up his ears and neighed sympa

I entered the shrubbery with a beating heart, for, notwith-given rise to. standing that I had expected this meeting, I did not feel quite at my ease. I had never been placed in such a position before, and the situation, though novel, was to me far from a pleasant one; had it been Julia, the case would have been different. I could not make up my mind what course I ought to pursue, and therefore it was with a feeling almost of dread that I saw her approach. I thought, however, that it was my duty to welcome her, and swallowing my fears I hastened to meet her. When she saw me she slackened her pace, and on my taking her hand and saluting it, she turned very pale and was considerably affected. At last she mustered courage to say, "You are no doubt much surprised, cousin, at my asking you to meet me in private; and doubtless you think it unmaidenly; but when you know all, I trust you will rather pity than blame me. At the same time I hope the confidence I am about to place in you, and the explanations I am about to give you, will be received with candor and used with forbearance."

She paused, and I hastened to tell her that any communication she made to me should never be divulged without her permission.

"Thank you, cousin! thank you! yet your kindness makes it more difficult for me to say what I wish; and God knows that it is needless," and the tears flowed as it were involuntarily from her eyes.

Do not weep,' I said, kindly: "you do not know how keenly your grief affects me. Tell me why you are thus moved! what can I do to aid you?"

"On your kindness, on your generosity, depends my future happiness; you will hate me for my duplicity. Oh, if you only knew all!" and she seemed unable to proceed.

I was somewhat puzzled. I began to think that there must be something more than I expected. I could not see, else, what could cause all this emotion. That Helen was a girl of deep feeling I could see; but I could not understand that the mere rejection of me ought to cause so much anguish. Could she be married to this man? I began to think I was getting further

into the mire.

She made several attempts to speak, but they only resulted in fresh bursts of tears. I therefore took her hand and said. “I see you are unable to make the disclosure you wish. I will endeavor to assist you. You would tell me that you do not love me; that you loved another before you saw me; that you wish to break our engagement, and hope I will offer no opposition;

is it not so ?"

"Yes."

"What if I release you from that engagement ?" "Generous man!"

"Stop, I did not say I would; you must give me your confidence, and I will do all that I can to assist you."

She hid her face in her hands, and for some moments seemed incapable of utterance; at last she lifted up her head and said, "Cousin, before you came my affections were engaged; had I seen you sooner it might have been otherwise; and now that I have seen you, and you have been so kind to us all, makes my task the harder. I have been very unhappy for some time, but the time has now arrived when the explanation can no longer be postponed."

"There is relief to be found in all our misfortunes, if we place our trust in God; He never sends a poison without its antidote. Believe me, I desire your happiness as much as I do any one's, and it would give me great joy if I could in any way contribute to your comfort."

cry

excited.

keeping well together. At first the ground was level, and ReyAway we went in splendid order, Frank, I, and Fielding end of this we were somewhat in advance of the rest, and I saw nard led off in capital style. By the time we had reached the before me my first leap. I shuddered; but, closing my eyes, and digging my knees tightly into my horse's ribs, I abandoned myself to my fate. I could scarcely believe I was over, till I heard Frank exclaim emphatically, "Splendid!"'

On we went, through fields and across moorlands. Thun

derer being an old and well-bred horse, knew his work; and feel that the excitement was telling on my nerves, s ill we went now that his blood was up, he stuck at nothing. I began to onward-through some heavy ploughed land, over a five-barred gate, across a brook, up the breast of a hill, and through a village, taking everything gallantly.

I was considerably in advance of the rest, and began to feel alarmed, for I found I had lost all control of my horse; who, instead of getting tired, seemed to gain strength at every bound. On we went, he madly, I stupidly. I tried to turn him from some of the most dangerous leaps, but it was no use-he would go straight ahead, and in some instances actually courted danger for danger's sake.

I continued to lead the field-onward we went, madly onward, over hedges and ditches, through brier and brake, and I yet with a whole skin, and no broken bones. The pace was terrific, but Thunderer did not seem distressed. We now emerged on to a large tract of heath, and I thought my danger was over; when lo! the fox turned sharp off, and dashed into a wide chasm or gully, disappearing for a moment, and then dashing up the opposite bank. width of the gully, and broke into a cold sweat, thinking it impossible for a horse to leap it. Thunderef, however, went straight at it; he sprang into the air; but, instead of being plunged into this abyss, I was safely landed on the opposite side-I was in at the death.

I was horror-struck at the

I cannot well describe my feelings as I dismounted. I was terribly shaken-my whole nervous system was prostrated, and my strength gone; but I had now a reputation to maintain, and therefore made a vigorous effort, beat down the dogs, and held up the fox in triumph.

The whole party now came flying over like so many fiery meteors, and I was greeted with great respect, and looked on as a crack rider. Such is life! How often do we see persons obtain a reputation by a fluke!

As we were returning home, after taking some refreshment, which had not only restored my energy, but had considerably elevated our spirits, and rendered me somewhat forgetful of my dignity, and ripe for a lark, Frank proposed a hoax.

I never could resist anything in the shape of fun, no matter of what character; and a practical joke I never could withstand.

At this moment I heard a rustling among the bushes, and Our road lay through two villages, not a great distance apart.

Open burst the cottage doors, and out came the villagers in while the men at the engine kept all on continually pumping. great consternation.