gracious me, dinner almost ready-no time to do any thing-to get any thinggood gracious me! is it a gentleman ?"

"A gentleman! Yes, that he is; and one of the finest I ever saw in my life. I called with him at his inn, and he showed me his horse-a real blood!

"A gentleman, and invite him to dinner! If it had been nobody, one wouldn't have minded so much; but here, when we sha'n't have any thing fit to give him to eat-How could you do such a thing!"

"Come, don't fret yourself, or you'll make yourself not fit to be seen; you are red in the face already.-If we've nothing fit to eat, pray let's have something fit to look at."

"Fit to look at! gracious me! look at the table-cloth-Lizzy, child, pull it off, and take my keys, and get a damask one-and-and-where's the silver salts -What shall I do! I declare if he is not really coming up the walk yonder. I must go, and put myself a bit to rights."

Eliza cast a hurried glance through the window, and recognized indeed the one object who had engrossed, in defiance of her better judgment, many of her late hours of meditation. For one moment she struggled for self possession-and the next he was in the room.

Major Douglas (Mr. Davenant had found his card), Major Douglas, I am truly happy to see you. I hope some of our morning's spoil will not be long before it makes its appearance on the table, when I expect you will do it credit: I assure you I shall play a good knife and fork, for the many hours we spent at the water side have served to quicken my appetite. But I believe we must go through a presentation-This, Major, is my blackbrowed niece, Eliza Massenburg; and this, Eliza, is—well, but I suppose you are already acquainted"-for the Major had hastily advanced, and with an eager though respectful gesture extended his hand; and Eliza, with downcast looks,

had timidly given him her own-" I suppose you are already acquainted."

"I had the happiness, Sir," answered the Major, "I had the happiness of Miss Massenburg's society when I came into Yorkshire; as we both met on board the steam packet; and I congratulate myself on the opportunity this meeting affords me of inquiring after her health; and renewing, if she will honour me so far, the acquaintance on land, it was my good fortune to make at sea."

"O, indeed! Eliza, my dear, I think you never told us any thing of your shipmates. I wonder, with such an one as Major Douglas, you did not think to mention him."

I am better pleased that she did not, thought the Major; but he pitied the embarrassment Eliza was in, and by diverting Mr. Davenant's attention, saved her the trouble of reply. Mrs. Davenant's entrance interrupted the conversation.

She had not been idle: though always very neat, she was generally extremely plain in her attire. On receiving company, and on all particular occasions, she was wont to dress, still in a neat, but in a better style; and she now entered the room in a brown satin gown, clear muslin neckerchief, and cap thickly trimmed with handsome lace, while over her shoulder was thrown a large silk shawl.

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Dame, Major Douglas;" the lady curtsied, the gentleman bowed:" and what do you think! the Major turns out to be an old acquaintance of our Eliza's. Lizzy, child, where are you?" But Eliza had glided out as her aunt entered; nor returned till dinner was on the table.

Many were the apologies Mrs. Davenant made for her dinner, and the Major's most gracious answers had their due effect upon her heart. There is a sort of pliability, that, free from weakness or duplicity, can adapt itself to the peculiar temper of every individual; and

the Major, who was one of these gifted beings, would lead every person to speak on their own favourite topic, while the attentive interest he displayed was a sure passport to their favour. In the present case he exerted himself successfully to please, not only by accommodating himself to their peculiar turn, but also by a brilliancy of wit, an endless stock of well applied anecdote, and highly polished manners.

After sitting much longer at table than was her custom to do when they had visitors, Mrs. Davenant rose to withdraw; and when alone with Eliza expressed her most unbounded admiration of their fascinating guest. "Gracious me, Eliza," said she, " and only think that he should turn out to know you Who would have thought it! I declare I was in such a flutter! But then he is so very polite that he soon puts one quite at ease. I hope he intends stopping some time in the neighbourhood, for then we'll

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