that it should soon be spent.

The

spring of life returns; the blood courses freely through the veins, and one day we awake to see that the sky is blue, the sun shining, the birds singing, and the earth very fair. The breath of spring breathes over our heart. All the young and tender buds unfold; hope grows green again within our breast, and we say, with a feeling of secret exultation and joy, as Lesbia Lesley did, "I am going to live! I know I shall be happy! I feel I must be happy! I am going to live!"

VOL. I.

D

CHAPTER IV.

MARGARET'S JEWEL CASE.

IT had been late in October when Lesbia and Frank Hamilton had arrived at Berry

lands. Frank was expecting to be sent abroad to join some foreign embassy, and had come to spend a few weeks with his uncle and patron.

Mr. Hamilton, as we have seen, had, in the first instance, been a little put out by the thought of having two young creatures thrust upon him at a moment's notice; but as he was, in truth, very fond of society, after indulging in the luxury of airing his grievances, he had suddenly veered round, and had rather begun to congratulate himself on the change which this infusion of new blood into his daily existence must bring about.

"I am sure it's most trying for you,' Caroline said to him during one of their many discussions on the subject.

Anticipated evils are generally exaggerated," he replied.

"I don't know. Frank wants amusement, and Miss Lesley will look for some sort of gaiety."

"Which they shall both have. I was not meant by nature for a hermit, and it will be good for us to see a little more of the world than we have been doing lately." "You have always had your friends down here, and have spent a good deal of time in town."

"Selfish pleasures.

men

We must not be

content with men friends only. With so bright and beautiful a girl in the house as Lesbia Lesley, we must find friends. for her of the fairer sex also."

Caroline's brow contracted.

"I shall be there," she said coldly.

"Of course you will be there; but young girls don't like monotony."

"He thinks me monotonous," was Caroline's mental commentary.

"And, besides, I shall really like the rubbing up which a little gaiety gives. I am getting solitary, and selfish, and old bachelor-like in my propensities."

"You do yourself injustice. You, of course, prefer the society of clever, intelligent men to that of silly, frivolous

"I don't know. There's a relief in silliness and frivolity at times, within certain limits, of course."

""

I am surprised to hear you say so!" "Why?"

"Because your wife was frivolous nor a silly woman."

neither a

The shot had gone home.

The arrow

quivered in the wound. All Mr. Hamilton's gaiety vanished, and without another word he withdrew to his study.

In about half an hour's time the door opened, and Caroline entered, bringing him a glass of wine and a biscuit. "I observed that you had a bad cold this morning," she said solicitously. "Take this glass of wine; pray do,—to oblige me.”

Mr. Hamilton's impulse was to reject it; but when she put it on that ground, it seemed to him that in so doing he would appear ungracious. "I never take. wine in the morning," he said, "but since you have brought it to me"

"And- I wanted to beg your pardon for speaking of dear Margaret. It is natural you should not wish to be reminded of her; but I, to whom she was so good, who have nothing in the world, I"