custom of the house. At first he devoted half his time, and latterly the whole of it, whenever that was possible, to conversing with me. In our riding and walking parties he became always my escort, but he contrived to give that so accidental an aspect, and rallied himself so humorously on his own singular good fortune in being with me, that I could scarcely have suspected the trouble he afterwards told me he took to arrange it all to his wishes. Week after week, Henry Crofton established his place next to me at dinner, read all the books I recommended, repeated in a beautifully modulated voice the most touching poetry, sung the songs I liked, called incessantly at my father's house when I was there, or even when I was absent, and fascinated Lord Charles as much as myself by his peculiar powers of entertainment.

Like most sailors, Henry had seen all round the world, and, unlike many, he had read and thought much. We compared our thoughts upon happiness, our opinions on religion, our verdict on books, our likings and dislikings to individuals. Every subject was then discussed between us but love, which seemed never for a moment to suggest itself to either of us. So at least I then thought, and so I thought for many months afterwards; but time had at length disclosed to me how much I was mistaken in his feelings, as well as in my own.

Lady Ashcourt maintained that no single lady and unmarried gentleman are ever in company with each other, without each privately considering, and fully making up their minds, whether they would suit or not suit; but, till now, the idea of Henry Crofton becoming attached to me had never entered my head. The days and hours we then enjoyed seemed scarcely to be reckoned in the vulgar current of life. I was but twenty-one, and Henry Crofton twenty-five, the very age of romance; and with youth, opportunity, and the consciousness that our growing attachment was unsuspected, as well as the hope that it could not be disapproved of, we became every day more essential to each other's happiness, the mutual objects of a first and an unalterable affection, which he at last, with his usual sailor-hearted frankness, declared, and I, with deep emotion, as frankly accepted.

We anticipated no difficulties, as Henry was an only son, and his father possessed of enormous wealth, while my own connections were equal to his; and for a short time it was his delight to add something of romance to the interest of our engagement, by letting it be known only to ourselves; therefore I delayed announcing it to Lord Charles till we were together. Like Henry himself, I never enjoyed and suffered by halves; and when he

confessed to me how long his attachment had lasted, the world itself seemed a new world to me. I even regretted, like a miser who had squandered his gold, that, before being aware of the happiness which awaited me, so many weeks and months had elapsed in a common-place way-they were gone for ever, without having been embellished with the consciousness of mutual attachment which might have belonged to them. In doubt and uncertainty they had passed away never to return; and I thought how every future day of my life would now be of more value than any which, before I felt assured of Henry's sentiments, had fled.

I had a thorough conviction, which remains unaltered, of the happiness attendant on a wellfounded attachment. Unconscious, therefore, of any probable obstacle to our mutual felicity, I allowed my heart to dwell on the pleasing anticipation of making a happy home for one who loved, and trusted, and preferred me before all others; and in every plan of future happiness my dear father was included as cordially by Henry as by myself.

It should be a frequent question of those who gain the affections, or even if it be merely the friendship, of another, 'Is he the happier for having loved me?' From the moment that Henry committed his heart to my keeping, I felt how sacred was the trust, and prayed that, through life as well

as now,

he might never have cause to regret, even in the most trifling instance, that to my care his happiness had been confided.

It pleased me to think of the duties I was about to fulfil, among which my delight would hereafter be to consider Henry's feelings more than my own, to cultivate for his sake the pursuits he loved best, to make his chosen friends my own, to sympathise in all his wishes, to fulfil all his desires, to promote his interests, to pray for him and cherish him, as my duty and affection should hereafter combine to dictate. Yes! if I could have divided into two portions the joys from the sorrows of life, and taken all the last to myself, I should have done so and been satisfied. I yet remember the glow of heart with which I wished his sentiments might always continue the same, when Lady Ashcourt once congratulated Henry on having been well amused and happy at a boat-race which he had won, and he gracefully approached me to whisper in accents audible to myself alone, I can be amused anywhere, but happy only with you, and happy then beyond expression. I trust my Jane has no doubt of that, unless you are one of those who doubt everything.'

'I am but too happy to believe you,' I replied; ' and I doubt nothing but my own merits to deserve your affection.'

Throw that doubt into the fire, then, or give it

to me, as I should be glad merely to doubt whether I am deserving of you, being at present quite certain that I am not. I read an advertisement of a book once, called the Sorrows of somebody, in nine volumes; but they would be nothing to mine, if you were to treat me no better than I deserve, and refuse me. In that case, I shall sit regularly down to be miserable. How should I look, like Patience on a monument?’

'You would certainly be smiling at grief, being so rieuse par constitution, that I suspect your heart would take a great deal of breaking.'

"If you tried, it would not; but to all others it is adamantine!'