give the whole world a seat in it," whispered Julia to Sophy Leslie.

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Very kind of her, I think," said Sophy, who began to be a little ashamed of her false pride. Many, Julia, are not half so obliging, when they can afford to do more."

"I should like to see the aristocratic Sophy Leslie stoop her ostrich plumes to its narrow entrance," said Julia, laughing.

"I should like to see my sister a frequent visitor at Mrs. Campbell's house," said Edward, who overheard the conversation. "There is no lady more worthy of admiration in the whole city."

Julia blushed deeply; she liked young Leslie, and wished to stand high in his opinion, but here was an open avowal of disapprobation, after she had been exerting herself for the last hour to please him! She left her seat after a few moments, and Dr. Vernon immediately occupied it, at Sophy's side.

Leslie's worldliness," said Mrs. Campbell to her husband, as they sat at breakfast the morning after the reunion at Mrs. Livingston's. "I think you do her injustice; it is her mother's fault if she loves the world too much, but she has many fine qualities."

"I am glad of it, my love," said Mr. Campbell, as he helped himself to an unusual quantity of butter; "but take care how you set about making matches. I think that Dr. Vernon deserves something better than a mere fine lady.”

"So do I, Harvy," said his wife, smiling at the deterinination of his knife and fork during this speech; "but who spoke of match-making, most grave and reverend signior"?"

"

"No, indeed," said her husband, laughing, you were a perfect will-o'-the-wisp, neither to be caught nor surprised. When I think of it, I stand in perfect admiration of my excellence as your better half."

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My love," said his wife, handing him a cup of coffee, "I am perfectly convinced of what you say.'

وو

"Why, Maria, did you not praise Sophy Leslie for an hour yesterday, while Dr. Vernon was here? You must have had a motive; and though I don't see through this passion for the lady, I easily guessed you were at your old tricks of marrying people whether they will or not." His conversation was lively, brilliant, often "Dear, did I marry you in that way?" said witty, but never affected; and Sophy thought the Mrs. Campbell, with an arch look of humility fifteen minutes he was allowed to pass undis-out of her bright eyes. turbed-with her brother and herself-the pleasantest in all her party recollections. In her brother's presence she too was always most pleasing, and to her companion now, fascinating. Edward warned her often of the danger of being too much trammelled by the world, and with him she threw off the eager qui vive for admiration, which the flattery of honied tongues and the conciousness of beauty had given her. Dr. "After breakfast Mrs. Campbell sat down to Vernon was no borrower of sweet words and her writing-desk, and we will bear the note she pretty phrases, and while Miss Leslie lent a de- completed to its destined owner, Miss Leslie, lighted ear to the charm of his society, the great who sat in her dressing-room as blooming, as one of novelty, she was unconsciously pleasing in beautiful as a Hebe. an equal degree, by her playful remarks and unaffected demeanor. She was called upon to sing. She yielded a graceful consent, and went quietly to the piano, taking her brother's arm. She always sang well enough to please, and chose ever the simplest ballads for her sweet clear voice, cultivated sufficiently to be without a false note. Her ready fingers played quadrilles for the dancers, and Margaret Livingston thought her partner rather more attentive to the fair musician than her skill required. Verily, the doctor was in a way to lose his heart that night, and if Mrs. Leslie had been there to see it-she would have spoiled all. "A delightful evening," said Edward, as he and his sister left the house at a late hour.

"Two billets," said she, as the servant handed them. "I am favoured this morning. This"opening the scented envelop-"from Mrs. Campbell. Let me see this first, then; the other looks like Julia Livingston's seal and hand-writing."

"MY DEAR MISS LESLIE:

"Will you indulge my vanity by showing me that you do not think me intolerably stupid, and dine with me to-day? You so rarely give me the sunshine of your presence, that I am fain to crave it, like your legion of lovers, on bended knees. Pity my husband, who dines every day in a matrimonial tête-àtete, and come to

"Your's, sincerely,

"MARIA CAMPRELL."

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"Certainly I will go, sweet Mrs. Campbell," said Sophy, aloud, while something whispered that Dr. Vernon would be there. Now I will read Julia's note, and answer them both immediately."

Alas for Mrs. Campbell! Julia wrote to say that she would call for Sophy in an hour to accompany her sister, herself, and some friends to a pic-nic on the mountain, a distance of six miles, where they intended to pass a delightful day of course. The note ended thus:-" We expect your brother to go in the carriage as our escort, so let him leave Fleetfoot over his oats in

the stable. John has gone for Dr. Vernon, who shares his tandem."

Sophy wrote a pretty note to Mrs. Campbell, pleading a previous engagement, Julia having mentioned that they considered her acceptance as already returned, and was ready when the carriage came.

It was a lovely day. The wood jasmines sent up their perfume into the carriage, as it wound through the shady road beneath the broad oaks and the tall chestnut trees, that almost nodded their heads in the clouds. Birds were singing on every branch, squirrels leaping about from their high homes to the ground, while the timid hares bounded over the leaves, frightened at the sound of the carriage wheels, and the merry voices that echoed around them. The murmuring of a rippling stream was heard, and soon they stopped before what was usually called "the mountain house," a small building of stone, that boasted of three rooms, and a lobby between.

Mrs. Livingston's servants had preceded the party with wines and their city dinner; and at the door stood their hostess, a clean old woman, courtesying with all the grace she could put into her repeated salutations of the young ladies.

back and forth with the soft southern air; the woods glisten far and near, with the starry yellow jasmine, and the pink-crimped ivy hangs in rich clusters above the heads of the merry troops of children that throng beneath the trees to gather its blossoms.

Such a day as this blessed the Livingston's pic-nic party. The beautiful violets sprang from beneath the leaves their footsteps pushed away. Sophy had her handkerchief full before they had walked a quarter of an hour, and Edward was dragging down long wreaths of jasmine, which the ladies speedily formed into bouquets worthy a belle's bouquetière at the coming fête. After an hour's absence they returned to the cottage, and saw John Livingston alone in his sulky!

"The grand Khan was engaged, young ladies, and sent his regrets, so I came in my sulky by way of sympathy with your disappointment, was his announcement, as he alighted.

"How I wish I had gone to Mrs. Campbell's!" said Sophy to herself.

"So much the worse for him," said Margaret.

"This is such a lovely place for his sentimentality. He professes to be an admirer of woods and flowers, fine scenes, and clear streams, and I think that his tastes might have been gratified here."

Margaret was piqued sorely.

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Well, sister," said Julia, sympathizingly, "I dare say he will be sorry not to have come with us, where really everything is so beautiful; but if he had an engagement he could not break poor man!"

A large crackling fire had been kindled in the "best room," and thither they proceeded. Its furniture was old enough for an antiquary's taste, consisting of two old dark-looking cherry tables, a half-dozen straw-bottomed chairs, and a dresser, so called, the description of which is necessary, perhaps, for the benefit of my readers. A high semicircular table, covered with net-it, work on the top, and a white drapery, with a fringe to match, which hung to the floor in sweeping majesty, the work of good old Mrs. Thompson's hands. On this, the pride of the room, stood six blown tumblers, a decanter, with a cork to replace the lost stopper, and a large fat pitcher, covered with the brightest of all bright red flowers, and dark-green leaves. On the mantelpiece was a small looking-glass, which made you look broad as you approached, and long as you receded. A few peacock's feathers were stuck around the frame, and two snub-nosed solhonettes, done by some itinerant paper-cutter, hung in black cases on either side. They were Mrs. Thompson's pride, and used to be the admiration and envy of the whole neighbourhood around.

After the old dame had done the honours, as she said, the young girls wrapped their velvet mantillas around them once more, and proposed to explore the place. It was one of those bright sunny days which come upon a southern winter, stealing on the footsteps of spring, until it cheats us into the belief, that though February is really here, the sweet season has chosen to visit us earlier than the month which is generally her usher to freezing mortals. Indeed I have known the spring to set in early in February, and seen the windows up to let the bright sun in, while fires are wholly forgotten. Then, too, the jonquil's spiral stem bursts forth into beautiful flowers; the delicate but delicious narcissus rocks

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Certainly not," chimed in Sophy, recollecting her previous engagement that morning, with some regret! "Come, Julia, let us try the other side of the stream, and see what flowers are there. Edward, I see Mr. Livingston's cigar case half out of his coat pocket. So, gentlemen, if you wish to smoke, we will give you permission to do so in our absence. Come, Margaret, the Misses Lenards are already in advance of us."

And after a long ramble over the sunlit woods they returned, their cheeks glowing with the unusual exercise they had taken, and their appetites ready for the dinner. John himself superintended. The corks flew from the bottles, and the sparkling wine waited on cold turkeys, Westphalia hams, and the delight of Mr. Livingston's heart, a paté de foie gras. A merry set they were, and Sophy nearly forgot the absence of the bidden guest. Fortunately for the ladies and for himself, Mr. Leslie possessed the grand secret of pleasing everybody, and making everybody pleased with themselves. Margaret unknit her "threatening brow;" Julia was gayer and happier than usual; Sophy entertaining; John Livingston satisfied, and the rest of the party delighted, and then sorry, when the carriages were again at the door.

Bidding farewell to the mountain house, and its owner, Mrs. Thompson, they returned to town by the same route, watching the effect of the sunset on the evergreens and naked branches

of the less constant trees. The light wind, to correspond. This was her father's gift, on sighed lullingly through the dead leaves, and her debut at a ball celebrating that event, and Sophy would have pronounced the day perfect when wealth allowed him to commit a similar from beginning to end if, as they entered a extravagance. He was pleased with his daughgrove of magnolias, about half-way to the city, ter's attention; kissed her affectionately, and Mrs. Campbell's one-horse carriage had not pronounced her "beautiful to-night!" then repassed them, her husband and Dr. Vernon on sumed his seat and his book, to his wife's great the front seat! She forgot the beauty of the indignation. He was not reading, however, but sunset, and wished herself, with all her heart, at listened uneasily to her conversation with Mrs. Campbell's side in her plebeian vehicle. Sophy; it was, in fact, almost a repetition of But prince somebody's wishing-cap has found what we have already had occasion to mention. no head to fit it in these days of utilitarianism; She concluded with "Be aimable, my love, as I railways have done their best towards supplying told you before, and remember me kindly to the place of Hassan's carpet; but the lucky cap Mrs. Campbell. Be attentive to her this remains concealed in the dominions of the beau- evening; she is a charming person, and dotes tiful princess. on you-"

So poor Sophy wished in vain, and remained in silence by the side of John Livingston, who had persuaded Mr. Leslie to take his sulky, and give him the benefit of the ladies' company returning home.

The next day was Thursday-Mrs. Camington's party that night. Yet, in spite of this, Dr. Vernon's card was sent to Miss Leslie, with a request that he might be "admitted." Sophy came down soon after the servant, looking, as the doctor afterwards informed Mrs. Campbell, "like an angel!"

Sophy charmed him by praising that lady, flattered him by her regret that she had not been able to accept her invitation the day previous, and completed his delight by engaging herself for the first quadrille that evening. They spoke of music, poetry, of painting; and then touching upon the subject of love, the gentleman found himself gazing so admiringly upon the lady, that he-took his leave.

Verily, verily, doctor, I do repeat it, you were in great danger that morning. I doubt whether you took your heart when you took your hat! Indeed, I think it possible, although upon so delicate a subject I would not be too certain-I think it possible that he took Sophy's in a mistake, and left his own, without either party being aware of the exchange!

Sophy returned to her crape and her flowers, somewhat disappointed that he did not ask permission to attend her as one of the escorts to Mrs. Camington's; but consoled herself by thinking of that quadrille," and other engagements. That evening she came down, radiant with beauty, to see her father before she left. Her white crape floated over the shining silk skirt, looped at the side with a small bouquet of geranium flowers. Around her snowy shoulders a broad Brussels lace fell in graceful folds. In her dark, dark hair was placed, by her mother's skilful hands, a beautiful japonica her brother had purchased an hour before at the hot-house, whose plants furnished bouquets for almost all the city. She wore her hair à la comtesse-a coiffeur becoming to none but a face like hers; her vanity whispering how well she could brave fashion by adopting one then out of vogue, curls being the rage. The only ornament was a bracelet of rubies and diamonds, attached to her hand-" that little hand”—by a chain and a ring

"And on that young physician, too, my dear," said Mr. Leslie, in the same bland tone of voice.

Sophy blushed, Mrs. Leslie started; and Edward smiled at his father's interruption. "Come here, Ellen," said he, "I will tell you a story while my tea is getting cool."

Ellen came, and seated herself on an ottoman at her father's feet, and George established himself on his knee, delighted at the idea of hearing a story." He looked very grave, as Mr. Leslie coughed and cleared his throat several times before he began.

"Once upon a time, children, when Virtue, poor thing, was wandering about, weary and tired of looking for a home, she came to a neat, pretty little house, shaded with all kinds of trees, and surrounded by all kinds of flowers. It was a modest-looking place, unlike all your fine red brick houses, that are like flaunting country girls just come to town. Virtue opened the gate and walked in, pleased with everything she saw, and glad to find a place to rest in-indeed she took up her abode there, and lived quietly and happily for some time. But alas! poor Virtue rarely stays long in the same place; she is so often driven away by unruly passions, and left without a shelter, that even Hope would not remain more than a few weeks with her!

"One day Vanity and Pride came by the pretty cottage, and after looking for some time at its conveniences, they made up their minds to live there as well as Virtue; for, as you will often find, my dear children, the two first wear a modest plain garb for their own purposes, and put on the appearance of the latter when they have no acquaintance with her. Well, as I told you, these two impudent fellows took Virtue's house for their own, and soon began to make her unhappy. Vanity thought, after a few days, that nobody would come to see him in such a retired place; and Pride set about making improvements, as his brother grumbled out his fears. He pulled down one side and built up another-cut the trees away, so that everybody would see his house; while Vanity walked after him to hear what folks said, treating Virtue so coldly that she resolved to go away. So one morning, as Pride's fine carriage came rolling up to the door, drawn by two splendid horses, their trappings new and glittering, poor Virtue

Doctor was quite frozen. Unconscious of his offence, he very coolly walked away, and attributed Margaret's hauteur to caprice, without ever once laying the "flattering unction to his soul," that his attention to another had roused that awful passion-jealousy!

Margaret was by no means amiable, and de. termined upon revenging herself on poor Sophy. She watched her opportunity, and as she stood near enough to be heard not only by her “rival," but by her admirer also, she turned to a young girl at her side, who had accompanied her father in an open vehicle--an inconvenient conveyance, as the night air was rather damp.

66 Are you going home, Miss Saunders, or do you remain here until morning?"

"Oh, I am going home," said the lady addressed. "I do not fear the night air as much for myself as for my father."

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but dried up her tears when Edward told her that it was martyrdom in a small way, and all the opprobrium Margaret Livingston's. "And the Doctor thought so too, Sophy," was his concluding speech. "Depend upon it, if he is ever called in to pay her a professional visit, he will dose her with a bitter pill!"

Sophy's pretty face resumed its smiles, and her heart its rest. She resolved to be a martyr—to suffer the sneers of the world in silence; and that day, when Julia Livingston came to see her, and fell on her neck with a burst of tears, she very magnanimously forgave Margaret, and promised to take no notice of her rude behaviour.

Somehow or other-nobody knows to this day how it came about-Julia and Edward at this time commenced a career of sighing and blushing (the last on the lady's side of course), which bade fair to terminate in most unequivocal "I was about to offer you a seat in my car- symptoms of a flame fanned industriously by riage, but the fact is we never have it to our- Cupid and Mrs. Leslie, who looked upon one selves. There is never a seat unoccupied," and of the Miss Livingston's as a bon parti." How Margaret's tone was rather an angry one, "so I it all ended, the reader shall know in time, as must deprive myself of the pleasure of your so-just now we are forced to take a peep at Mrs. ciety, not only this time, but I fear as often as there is a party given."

Sophy coloured deeply, and then stood pale and mortified. She could not help seeing that the whole of this speech was levelled at her, for she was standing so close to Miss Livingston as to touch her shoulder. How delighted was she as Mrs. Campbell stepped forward.

"I have persuaded Miss Leslie to return with me, Miss Livingston, and I am sure she will be happy to know that Miss Saunders has her seat in your carriage. I am sorry it was not mentioned before."

Campbell's, where she is very quietly seated in her neat little parlour, with her husband and our Esculapian hero. He was thinking of the delightful half-hour spent with Miss Leslie that morning.

"Do you know, Maria," said Mr. Campbell, laying down the paper he had been uncourteous enough to read in her presence, and glancing at his guest, who was in a brown study near the window, "I have come to the conclusion that you were right in your opinion about Miss Leslie, and-must I acknowledge it?—I was wrong.'

"And pray, said his wife, smiling, "what has all at once made you think of a person, at mention of whose name Dr. Vernon is unbound from the spell which kept him prisoner for half-anhour, and takes his seat in that chair opposite to your honourable self?"

It was now Margaret's turn to blush, and Sophy cast a grateful look at her kind protectress. Margaret knew well enough that no such agreement had been made between the two ladies, and the smile that rested on more than one face around her was punishment sufficient. Her sister was indignant. "Margaret, I insist upon "Well, perhaps it was the Doctor's acting your making an apology to Sophy. Your im-fixed star, Maria; perhaps it was the sight of politeness is as gross as it is unmerited; and if Miss Saunders takes her place, she is an intruder !"

"I do not want your lectures, Julia," was her sister's reply; but never was conscience more sorely stricken than hers, as she returned home that night.

Gladly did Sophy take her seat in the once despised vehicle. She maintained complete silence, however, on the way, for her feelings relieved themselves by tears. Mrs. Campbell's tact perceived this, and she conversed with her usual lively wit as they proceeded home. Her husband was the only one to benefit by her sallies, for his companion on the ignominious front seat spoke not a word. Oh, Dr. Vernon! what was the matter with you and Miss Leslie that night?

For the next three days it rained incessantly, and Sophy had time enough for reflection as she watched the pelting drops and the gloomy clouds. She wept bitterly over her mortification as she related it to her indignant mother,

her brother's name in this paper. But let me make her the amende honorable, while I think of it. It was but a trifling circumstance, maybe, and will make you smile again; but the cackling of the geese saved Rome, and Miss Leslie's graceful apology for her father's absence, to Mrs. Camington the other night, restored her in my humble estimation. She said all manner of pretty things about his regrets, told her that they had no carriage of their own now, and ended it all by saying, with a blush like a summer rose, Indeed I could not have had the happiness of seeing you to-night, but for the kindness of my friends, on whom I am at present dependent.' Poor thing! she little dreamed of what a bitter dependence it was to be!"

"Ah, yes!" said Mrs. Campbell, "that speech of Miss Livingston's was wickedly rude. But I am delighted to find the balance of your approbation in Sophy's favour, even though it makes you hunt your old phrases of summer roses' and 'graceful creature,' &c., with which I used