which, in my heart, I pronounced to be destined to oblivion almost as soon as gained. Perhaps, however, I was the more incited to travel, by the hope that in its variety and novelty I might, at least for the time, cast away my accustomed selftorture.

sitting, and heard no more of their conversation. | and I remembered that it has been observed, that But in a short time I was sent to college. There," they who carry little out of their own country, thank Heaven! my frenzy-for it was now almost can bring little back." I had it in my memory frenzy-was placed in some measure under the too that control of society. I had some means of amuse- "Home keeping youth have ever homely wit;" ment. I felt the use of change. Gradually and, with a want of agreement with himself, natugained some interest in human occupations. Iral to man, even whilst I was miserable, through was well supplied with money, for my father had my continual reflections upon the briefness and the been rich, and he had but three sons, as I have vanity of life, and the speediness and certainty of said, and I, although the youngest, had been his death, I was yet, from some indefinite idea of “fitfavorite. A considerable property had been his ness," eager to render myself a highly accom bequest to me-sufficient to secure to me the in-plished gentleman, and to acquire the polish which dulgences of life, and Robert, who, in his way, is said to be attainable only through intercourse loved me, and was grieved to see a premature sad- with the world. I was willing to labor for that ness clouding prospects which he justly fancied should, at my age, be "beautiful exceedingly," took care that my supplies should be liberal, and punctually paid. Thus the objects by which I was surrounded were of a character to appeal to my hitherto dormant tastes and feelings. I had many companions, perhaps no friends-for friendship is If not entirely successful in this my first essay less attainable than is generally imagined, and, upon the world's highways, I found at least much when attained, is sometimes a very inconsiderable to encourage me to future effort. My health grew benefit. But I was surrounded by young, and gay, firm, and with its improvement my frame became and idle people, and I was only too happy to lose robust, my habits hardy, my spirits more even. myself, as far as that might be, in their frivolous A stronger tone of thought, a steadier power of pursuits. Not that I relinquished study, for even endurance, a more manly face towards realities, shame would have saved me from utter abandon- were among the advantages which accrued to me ment to sports in which my own judgment found from my two years' study of my native land, and little to approve. Moreover, when I attempted to of the characteristics of my countrymen. Occapursue them, so large a share of my early sensi- sionally, nay frequently, I suffered moments, days, tiveness still, in spite of my efforts, hung about weeks, of the deepest gloom, but the intervals me, that I was generally regarded as a "low spi- of relief were longer-the periods of melanchorited, inactive fellow, who would never be able to ly of less duration than heretofore. My brightmake anything of life," and it was only by one or est enjoyments were still liable to their old intertwo decisive responses in the way of checking im- ruption, but I could now at least conceal what I pertinence with the strong hand, that I was able could not entirely control, and my family hailed to maintain at college a reputation for manliness, the change of feeling manifest in my manner and which I could never have consented to relinquish. appearance with pleasure. They had, all the while, So, during the mornings, I devoted myself to ascribed to causes which had really no existence, books-my hours of leisure were no better em- an evil which it was not in my nature to explain ployed than in riding about the adjacent country to them, and now they willingly laid upon my past with mad-cap students, pitching quoits, playing ill-health the blame of the "distemperature" of my different games of skill or chance, dressing, visit-mind.

ing, fooling, in all the ordinary modes of youth, I was to sail for Europe in the Spring. It was except the worst-I made no attempt at "manly now Autumn-one of the loveliest seasons, too, drinking." That was a coarseness which had that ever blessed North-American scenery. I was always shocked my early imbibed ideas of refine- now residing, for a time, in the home of my childment, nor could I ever become accustomed to it. hood. My father, in dividing his fortune among This confirmed the opinion of my imbecility, gene- his family, had bequeathed to my eldest brother ral among the fine fellows, who had come to his estate in the country. With him he had deto take degrees in science which remained sealed to them, and in vice and folly in which they grew expert without much difficulty.

But the days of my college life departed, and I took my final leave of the seat of learning. I returned to my home, and the first use I made of my liberty was to make a tour of the United States; for, it was my design to extend my travels to Europe, Asia, and perhaps the northern part of Africa;

sired that my mother should reside, and he had secured to her, during her life, an ample income.

To my

second brother, and to me, he had also left liberal portions of his property, but these consisted of ready money, and of shares in stocks, then in high credit, and of course easily convertible into cash. Alfred, my second brother, whose mind was equally prudent and enterprising, immediately after attaining his twenty-first year, had throwa

his whole fortune into trade, and employed his tender and religious gentleness, was her whole apardent and active faculties in the acquisition of pearance. Her figure was below the middle size, mercantile knowledge, and in the operations proper slender, and full of grace the most quiet, natural, to his calling. The last two or three years had and unconscious. Her dark and living tressesrendered him eminently successful, and he was that shone as other tresses never shone-parted looked upon as a man rapidly rising into wealth smoothly over a forehead low and white, and then and notice. He was at this time absent from the they fell in easy ringlets around a face, to me at house of my brother Robert, but the latter was least, exquisitely attractive. The dark but delinow married, and his pretty bride seemed perfectly cate outlines of her eyebrows, the purity of the willing to second my mother's wish to keep up the lids below them, the shining length of their fine wonted style of easy hospitality, and gay enter- black lashes, were beautiful, but even less beautitainment of the old family place-by name "The ful than the clear, and soft, and timid life that Willows." Many were therefore the comers and dwelt in her large and deep-hued hazel eyes. Her goers during my stay there, and pleasant were the features, regular and feminine-her complexion, parties we formed in the course of that long-lin- fair, and showing in its rapid changes of pure and gering and beautiful Autumn. He who has spent brilliant color, every variation of her feelings-her this season in the Southern States, who has watch-lips, finely cut and brightly red, yet true in their ed the gradual settling down of its glory of colors expression to the mild, and now saddened temper upon the tall and stately forests-who has beheld of her spirit-All these traits of delicate loveliness its power to give beauty to Decay-who has wan- I had soul enough to appreciate. I had, too, the dered in the woods that vary every day in the gor- common fancy for those rare attributes, small and geous hues of their leafy canopy and carpet-who well shaped hands and feet, and white and symhas breathed the soft air of the Indian Summer, metrical arms, and these were charms that belongand noted the all-softening influences of its red ed to Lucy-as did, I verily believe, every other and mildly-beaming sunshine-who has gathered beauty either of heart or person. its last rich offerings of fruits and flowers, and I knew enough of her history to be deeply touchgazed upon its skies, bluer and purer than Imagi-ed with its desolation. Her father, after having nation could have painted them,—at morning wear-possessed a large fortune, owing to some impruing upon their horizon a tint soft and purpling, and dences, became entangled in pecuniary difficulties, at evening gathering around the sunset dyes that and had died in poverty, at a time when Lucy was glow and gleam in every variation of translucent of an age to comprehend fully, not only the loss beauty-he only can conceive the splendor of Sum- she had sustained, but also the bitterness of depenmer's farewell to the South. I was naturally dence resulting from it. Her mother had in a few deeply imbued with the spirit of poetry, and I read months sunk under the mingled griefs of her lot. the Book of the World with a heart that well-ap- Then Lucy had been received into the house of a preciated it. And now a spell began to gather kinsman whom, until these events had rendered his round my soul, to soothe its disquietudes, to lull protection necessary, she had seldom seen. He had its faculties into a beautiful dream—for it was now lived in a distant part of the country, and though, that, on a visit to the wife of my brother, a lady at one period, under great obligations to her father, brought with her the orphan relative of her hus- he had rarely visited them. When however her band, a distant relative, dependent upon their kind- father died, Mr. Pleydell had immediately taken ness, but yet the lovely, the beloved Lucy Pleydell! her to his house, and commended her to the care She was very young-she was not yet eighteen- of his wife, a person who perhaps meant kindly in yet had her short progress in the ways of life been the main, but who behaved in all the relations of marked by more misfortune, than usually spreads life, with that want of refinement, and discriminaitself over a much longer track. Her father and tion, which as often springs from deficiency in mother had both died, about eighteen months be- sympathy with the feelings and wishes of others, fore, and the sad livery of grief still invested her as from the absence of a knowledge of the rules slight but graceful form; and the more touching of good breeding. This knowledge Mrs. Pleydell shadow of sorrow that had its source in stern re- certainly possessed, though a natural obtuseness ality, was still deep, though soft, upon her quiet sometimes rendered her indifferent to its use. I manner, and upon the innocency of her beauty. had heard my sister-in-law allude to instances in I use a peculiar expression," the innocency of her which she had severely tried the heart of Lucy, beauty"—but the charm was itself peculiar. Never and to the angelic temper with which she had borne upon the clear brow and young lips of early child- much that was painful, and softened, even to herhood, more dove-like sat the loveliness of unim- self, much that was coarse, and apparently unkind. paired innocence, than upon those of Lucy Pley- Mr. Pleydell, though at all times affectionate and dell-the purest, the kindliest of created beings! polite to his protegèe, was seldom at leisure to atEven to look upon her was to love her. So, at tend to his family. He was now wealthy, and imleast, I found it. In keeping with a character of mersed in the cares of riches, and he took it for

granted that all was right with Lucy. Mrs. Pley- and, from its influence, she seemed intuitively to dell found her a convenient inmate, and imposed turn with disgust and horror from evil. Most upon her sense of obligation many a task which might well have been spared her.

generous, most benevolent herself, she would not have passed harsh sentence on the acts or feelings Daily did I see her small white hands engaged of others; but she loved so truly what was right, in some exacting labor, which was designed either and so eagerly departed from even the neighborto satisfy Mrs. Pleydell, who was an amateur of hood of what was wrong, that I scarcely dared needle-work, or to benefit some other human crea- hope, when I began to love her, that her heart ture-some service for those who protected her, could ever be won by a being less holy than heror for those who could never in any way repay her. self. It was perhaps because she was of that This observation did the more afflict me, because, spirit which "hopeth all things," that gradually, in the few hours snatched from steady but unosten- very gradually, she learned to love me. She had tatious employment, I perceived how fine a taste been, from the first, grateful for the attentions of a guided the readiest of pencils, or directed the sweet-stranger, upon whom she had no particular claimest of voices, or made choice of some volume pleased, perhaps, too with the feeling which promptalways true to beauty, and most frequently to piety.ed the especial delicacy of my respect for her. She How could I feel all this, and fail to love her? If, could not help liking one, who strove to match even with me, at the fall of evening, she wandered out into her own gentleness in his tone and manner towards the country, now colored by the year's most gorgeous her. Perhaps she was touched by my involuntary painter, how surely was her perfect truth to Nature care to avoid all painful subjects of remembrance. attracted by Nature's most lovely combinations!- Perhaps my appreciation of the perfect propriety how certainly did the holy habit of her thoughts, of sentiment which she manifested in every situaturn to the Creator of all things! How could I tion in which I saw her placed-the perfect rectiperceive the goodness of Lucy Pleydell, and fail tude which marked her every word and thought— to love her? Even before I knew it, I loved her- might have attracted her, by the faint conscionsand thenceforward I devoted myself to her alone. ness of a mutual sympathy in good. I know not It might pass for politeness to the guest of my how it was, but when, after a visit of three or brother, that I should sit for hours beside her, four weeks at the Willows, Mrs. Pleydell “took while she worked; and amuse her, when she seem- her departure," the beautiful eyes of Lucy brighted to encourage the attempt, with conversation sug- ened as I told her, that I had accepted her relagested by the circumstances of the moment; or tion's invitation to share the Christmas festivities with the books that I fancied she preferred-that at Northland-the place of their residence. I I sought to make her the companion of my walks, or rides, whenever she could be induced to share them that I listened with delight to the soft tones of her clear voice when she spoke, or its softer Now a new turn was given to my musings. I music when she sang-that I silently offered her no longer "lived in death." A sweet face was every little service or attention which could mark now ever before me-a sweet voice ever in my respect, or preference. But to whatever motive ear. Roving through the woods we had traversed my conduct should be ascribed, I was indifferent. I cared but little for the language of my own actions, or for its interpretation by other people, for I was now proceeding unconsciously along the sunniest path of life, and with Life's loveliest child; and I yielded without reflection to the blessed influences of the time.

am sure, that her feelings were not then such as belong exactly to "love ;" but it was enough that she seemed to take pleasure in my society.

together, her thoughts were ever my companions; her beauty was ever the inspiration of my dreams. Hope, half fear, was now busy in my heart. I was now endowed with a new existence. I had now before me a brighter object than had ever before been vouchsafed to my aspirations. The better parts of my character were now developed It may be imagined that a heart so gentle as that by a powerful moral agent. Fervent, generous of Lucy Pleydell might be easily attached. I devotion to another, and a strong sympathy with could not hope so; for I felt that, beneath her ex- her pure and honorable qualities, were proofs that treme timidity, lay a deep mine of thought and I was not myself utterly unworthy. "Such observation. Yea, start not, reader-herein is no creature," said I, "would be the good angel of my inconsistency; for though she had no standard of life." Such fancies as this are apt to "haunt evil, whereby to compare evil things, she did pos-young hearts," and this one dwelt habitually in sess a high, and pure, and lofty standard of good, mine. It was then the middle of November. by which she could judge of the elevation of every How I got through the weeks that intervened be right and noble quality. She had the Scriptures, tween this period and Christmas, I will explain. the best test whereby earthly motives or actions can be tried. Upon this model her own character had been formed. By this perfect standard she was enabled to discern excellence of all kinds,

When I had remembered everything I had ever heard Lucy utter, and had lingered long upon every event of our past intercourse, and read over and over every page upon which I had ever seen her

"Christmas comes but once a year,
And therefore let's be merry."

look, and passed through every scene she had en- | of a well-arranged greenhouse, tables of new and dowed with the memory of her presence, I found curious devices, covered with the shining array of that the time had arrived when the Pleydells were toys and toy-volumes at that time in use for grownto spend a week or two in, and discovered up children, pictures of various merit, upon the that I also had important business there. I went walls-these, and other such evidences of wealth thither, and, during their stay, was frequently bless- and indulgence, filled the spacious and well-lighted ed with opportunities to collect from Lucy's con- apartment. Several ladies, old and young, some versation much food for thought in after absence. of whom I had before known, and some of whom I had never before seen,-sundry gentlemen, of different ages and pretensions, and Mrs. Pleydell, In accordance with the jovial precept of the were in the room--but Lucy was not there. I song, the Pleydells had prepared to celebrate the know not how I got through my various presenseason with right good will at Northland. That tations, how I made my bow to Mrs. Pleydell, or winter the happy holiday time came in, not crown- how I listened to her response to the usual ined with roses as I have seen it approach, but clad quiries concerning her own health, &c., for along in snows "bearded with icicles"-attended by chill with the first impression of disappointment, I felt winds, piercing of breath and tune, and making an earnest inclination to ask for Miss Pleydell. boisterous mirth with a freezing world. How The moment, when I might properly do this, came. merrily, nevertheless, did I drive my rapid sleigh The reply was such as relieved my anxiety at once. along the whitened roads-almost for the first time" Lucy would return in a moment-Mrs. Pleydell in my life too much absorbed in hopes that con- had desired her to go into the library with Miss cerned another, to give place to such fears as Fitz-John, to look for a book." I understood furmight affect my future. The black veil seemed ther, that I was to be "delighted with Miss Fitzto have been torn from my destiny--at least, I no John," and that "she was an uncommonly clever longer beheld it; and it was with genuine and exu-woman." She had not arrived two hours, before berant and heartfelt hilarity that I sped along to- she had asked to "see the library." wards the Pleydells' home. Ah! Lucy, you were ever the source of happiness to me, and I was now so happy! Did the robin sit melancholy and cold upon the end of some blackened rail, protruded through the snow? Poor fellow! all that I thought of, as I looked at him, was his happy whistle when the Spring should come again. Did a half frozen hare limp feebly over the dazzling and slightly crusted surface? In the life of my heart, I cracked my whip at him, until the bells of my sleigh steeds rang with the impulse of their accelerated speed. I linger-it is on the happiest part of my existence. The shrill winds cried around me-the-skies.looked leaden above me, as if snow-laden; but joyjoy lay before me, for I was soon to be with Lucy, and little did I care for either the breath or the brow of Winter.

"Afterwards, when I saw this library, I found it rather better than the greater number of "libraries" in my native State. That is, it was a rather pretty little sitting-room, and contained, instead of the one ill furnished book case which usually obtains the name, two very tolerably provided ones, which, adding a couple of busts, one of Washington, the other of Napoleon, and a phrenological cast in plaster, and a table covered with books, containing prints, maps, &c., made a vast pretension to the style and title of

"LIBRARY"!!!!

But now I did not even anticipate a sarcasm, though this fashion of calling little things by great names had sometimes before amused me. I listened for every step, in the hope it might be Lucy'sI arrived. My hopes were not beyond the reali- and when at last the door opened, and she entered, ties to which they had looked. All was hospitality, preceded by the little witch they called Miss Fitzand welcome, and preparation for enjoyment. I John, I absolutely failed to notice the latter-failed threw down the reins-a servant was ready to to hear my own introduction to her-failed of course, lead away my smoking horses to the warm com- to bow, until Lucy's significant look called my atfort of sheltering stalls, and liberal care. The tention to her,-turned pale, I do believe,—and master of the house received me upon the steps, when, at last I took the hand of Miss Pleydell, it was with cordial greetings-and led me in. At the with one so much unnerved, that it shook like an door I took leave of Winter. After disencum- aspen. She looked surprised, but her quiet manbering myself of my frozen wrappings, I was ush-ner restored all.

ered into the drawing-room--a perfect contrast “Well—and what sort of person was Miss Fitzwith the world without. Rich hangings, thick John ?"

and many-hued carpeting, a luxurious rug before Were this question to be asked, I could only the blazing fire, softly cushioned sofas, chairs of answer that I can .describe little beyond my first every possible shape and style to invite waking re-impression, which was of a very little, very homepose, musical instruments, white marble stands, ly, very active and very pert lady, of pale and crowned with vases of exotic flowers, the product sallow complexion, staring light eyes, exacting

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mein and tongue, and dictatorial and conceited de-ripen at once, from being in the same house together meanor. She held in her hand the book which she for weeks. I hoped that Miss Liddel would have had been seeking-some work so far out of the been here. I've heard she was a most amiable range of her probable reading, that the pretension creature, and I long to see my Charles' future evinced in its public selection, rather repelled than bride. Now who could say, as I thought when I attracted me. I don't know, that the mention made came, if he and Miss Liddel-you comprehend?" of her by Mrs. Pleydell did not add to this aver- 'Perfectly, Ma'am! Miss Liddel?-very rich I sion. I have generally found "very clever women,' "believe she is?" the least agreeable of the elements of society; these "very clever" people being generally less sensible and well-informed, than those who set up no claim to public homage. Once during that evening, I gratified this lady by indulging her obvious wish to be brought forward. I asked her some question concerning her precious book.

"Oh, very, and such a sweet girl-not handsome, but so amiable !"

"But, Madam, there are several young ladies here," said I, looking around, and suppressing a smile. "Might none of these be worthy the attentions of Mr. Charles ?"

"None here that I should ever have cared to introduce him to, Mr. Worthingham-none at all. There's that poor little miserable wisdom yonder,” indicating Miss Fitz-John; “enough to put any body out with Wisdom forever and a day—just wise enough to make one quarrel with the text, Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.'”

"Or not wise enough, Ma'am?" suggested I again.

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"She had not read it yet," (so I had supposed) "had long been filled with curiosity to see it-in despair, almost, at not being able to procure it— was enchanted to get hold of it now-indeed as soon as she had heard that Mr. Pleydell possessed it, she had hastened to sieze the prize, and lay it by." She pointed to a table upon which she had placed it, conspicuous (from its plain binding) amidst piles of colored morocco and gilding. I know that during a fortnight, which both of us "Or not wise enough, Mr. Worthingham-true," passed at Northland, Miss Fitz-John never once said the old lady, taking at once, and langhing removed that book—having found some other temp-heartily. "Now, the only tolerably good looking tation to display, which quite buried "the prize" girl here, is that poor Miss Pleydell," she conin oblivion. Moreover, the book was not a rare tinued, as soon as she regained her gravity, “and one, as Miss Fitz-John, with a very small amount she, of course, is out of the question. Nobody of real learning, must have known; and she might would think of her❞— have obtained it from any bookseller, though it had the luck to boast a learned name, and to be out of the line of ladies' reading-in fact the two last circumstances constituted its whole claim to her notice. That is all I know of Miss Fitz-Johnall that any body need ever wish to know of her. But to return, as my heart ever did and does to Lucy! Before I had been a day in the house, I perceived that the fashionable crowd assembled by the Pleydells, regarded her with very slight con-girl. Why, she has been trying to obtain a gosideration. I was not surprised to find, that this false estimate was based upon the conduct of Mrs. Pleydell-but upon what was her's based? Shocked, astonished, curious; I reflected upon what I saw, and examined jealously what I heard. I was not long in eliciting the secret..

"Why not, Madam ?” said I, coloring up to the eyebrows. Mrs. Bestman's eyes were fixed upon Miss Pleydell, and she did not observe my emotion.

"Oh! she is only a poor dependent of the Pleydells-she hasn't a cent of her own in the worldjust living here, as she can, with her cousin. You have no idea how much she owes to Mr. Pleydell. His wife was telling me, no longer ago than last night, a world of the man's goodness to this poor

verness' place for a year past!—that's not being a match for any gentleman."

"Not for any gentleman, I allow," said I, as steadily as I could; "but for the first gentleman in the world, according to my views. I think she is worthy the highest admiration."

"Not the party I had hoped to meet here, Mr. Worthingham," said old Mrs. Bestman, shaking her head reprovingly. "Not at all the party I had hoped to meet. My Charles there, is just from college, Mr. Worthingham; and I wished very much that he should meet with some of our belles here. Where indeed could I have hoped that he for my Charles, depend upon it." would see them, if not at Mr. Pleydell's." "Why, not in the Metropolis?" suggested I, in contempt. smiling.

"Such a saint as she sets up to be," cried the old lady angrily—

"Such an angel, rather, as she certainly is, Madam," I repled stoutly. "I do not know such another woman in the world."

"Oh! in the Metropolis!-true, Mr. Worthingham. But that's not like meeting people in the country, where intimacies among young people

"Oh! don't you? Such a woman will never do

"I know-I see that, Madam," said I, smiling

I don't like people that put themselves under obligations to other people, no nearer than third cousins," said my antagonist.

"If Mrs. Pleydell has mentioned to you the ob