won't have you lecture me any more on the subject;" and she then hurried out of the room, to her husband's great satisfaction, for he hardly knew what reply to make.

Harcourt had his own way, however, in the matter. At his departure he left definite orders that his wife and son should return to England at the expiration of the fortnight.

During the allotted time which was to elapse before Mrs. Harcourt had to leave Paris, she, to the fullest extent in her power, used the opportunity it afforded her of establishing a good relationship between her son and Charlotte. She appeared suddenly to have taken a great fancy to the society of Miss Turner, which especially developed itself in the afternoons at home, when Christian, who had opened a subscription at Galignani's, left the hotel to read the papers. It must not be imagined that Mrs. Harcourt carried out her plot with any disregard to propriety, quite the contrary, her plan of operation went no further than merely to allow the intimate friendship which already existed between the young people somewhat to ripen. She calculated, and with great justice, that the figure of the beautiful girl would be too well and deeply stamped on the memory of her son to allow it to fade; while, with the pardonable pride of a mother, she was equally persuaded that the strong friendship which Charlotte entertained for him must, as a natural sequence, ripen to something warmer as the girl grew older.

Possibly another reason for encouraging the frequency of their interviews, during their stay in Paris, arose from the fact that now she could think coolly on the subject, she felt the truth of her husband's reasoning-that Giddy's education should be proceeded with without interruption. Christian had resolved to visit the principal cities in Italy and Germany, and certainly would not return to England for two years, and Mrs. Harcourt carried her philosophy so far as to think the separation which was likely to take place between the young people would be advantageous to Giddy, as Charlotte's presence would not interrupt him in his studies. She felt no fear on Charlotte's account, having an innate conviction that there was no danger during the time of her affections being engaged by any other admirer. And in this conviction she was further insured by the confidence she had in the discretion and judgment of Miss Turner.

This, perhaps, formed no inconsiderable stimulus in the intimacy which she attempted to cultivate between herself and Miss Turner. To think that that lady was blind to the wishes and intentions of Mrs. Harcourt, would be doing her perspicuity a great injustice. She clearly saw through Mrs. Harcourt's manœuvres. At the same time, she fell easily into them, having conceived a great liking for Giddy, who had shown her considerable attention during his stay in Paris, and she was one of those on whom even one single kind word is never thrown away.

Christian's occupation during the fortnight since he had lost the companionship of his friend Harcourt consisted principally in reading subjects connected with the history of France in general, and Paris in particular, studying the state of politics, attending meetings in the Chamber of Deputies, accompanied by a friend whose acquaintance he had made. This gentleman had resided for many years in Paris, and was well acquainted both with the state of politics and many of the deputies. Christian had even gone so far as to engage a French master to instruct him in the language, at which he studied assiduously for more than an hour every morning. Although at his time of life it was not so easy to acquire the accent, he gave evident promise of being able in a few months to read the language fluently, and even to converse upon ordinary subjects with considerable facility. The evenings he passed in company with his daughter and her friends at a concert, or some other place of amusement, and in this manner the time glided smoothly away till the fortnight had expired.

The day for Mrs. Harcourt and her son to leave Paris at last arrived. Christian, with his daughter and Miss Turner, accompanied them to the diligence office in the Rue de la Jussienne. He appeared to entertain great regret at losing his amiable lady companion; while Mrs. Harcourt wept bitterly at parting with Charlotte. Nor was her sorrow without good excuse, for they had never been separated for a day together for some ten or twelve years. Apart from any little motherly matrimonial speculation she entertained between her son and Charlotte, she really loved the girl as dearly as if she had been her own daughter. So bitterly did she feel the parting, that it almost appeared as if she had made an effort to put off the painful thought till the last moment, and now that it had arrived, she considered herself at liberty to give full sway to her sorrow. Charlotte's grief at the parting was scarcely less demonstrative than that of Mrs. Harcourt.

Notice was now given by the conductor for the passengers to take their places. Mrs. Harcourt gave one last affectionate embrace to Charlotte, and then took her seat in the coupé. It was now Giddy's turn to enter. He had already bid adieu to Christian, and was about doing the same to Charlotte, when Miss Turner noticed a tear gathering in the lad's eye, and she thought it time for her to interfere; in fact, she had been no inattentive observer of the whole proceedings. She had for some minutes noticed the increasing melancholy on the countenance of Giddy, and she was somewhat in fear that Charlotte might notice it also, but after a moment's consideration she easily saw the girl's sorrow at parting with Mrs. Harcourt entirely occupied her mind. Mrs. Harcourt having now taken her seat, there was nothing left to attract Charlotte's thoughts from Giddy. Her own eyes being dimmed with recent tears, she evidently did not at first notice that Giddy's were the same, and Miss Turner, from prudential motives,

immediately determined what course to take. Advancing at the moment, she put out her hand for Giddy to take, saying as she did so,

"You must be quick and take your seat, or the diligence will start without you."

Giddy, with something like vexation on his face, turned towards her, when the conductor again gave notice to the passengers to take their seats. Finding he could no longer delay, Giddy shook hands with Charlotte, and then hurriedly getting into the vehicle, took his place beside his mother. All being now in readiness, and the signal having been given to the postillion, Mrs. Harcourt and her son started on their way to England.

Arrangements were now made by Christian to pass the winter in Paris. For this purpose he secured in the hotel a commodious apartment, thereby relieving himself from all anxieties which lodgings in a private establishment would have occasioned. During the winter months very little occurred worthy of notice. Christian, in every sense of the word, was thoroughly happy. He considered, with great justice, his daughter was too young to be present at any of the numerous balls given in Paris, to many of which she was invited. She was, with her father and Miss Turner, who took part in all her amusements, a frequent visitor at the operas, both French and Italian, and at every good concert which was given. Christian was a great lover of music, although not a musician himself. Charlotte, as before stated, had a good ear, an excellent voice, and correct taste, while Miss Turner, from more mature age and experience, even surpassed her in these qualifications. Nor was Charlotte's education all this time being neglected. Miss Turner, as before stated, from the many years she had resided in France, spoke and wrote the French language as perfectly as if she had been a well educated native. She also superintended Charlotte's practice at the piano, as well as her singing, for Christian had placed her as a pupil to Hertz, who was then in his prime, and engaged an excellent Italian singing-master, under whose instructions she had made considerable progress.

Regularly every fortnight a letter came for Miss Turner from her curate, which was responded to by her the week following. Nothing could be more methodical than this lady's habits, and she testified it in all things, no matter how small. She knew perfectly well the minute the postman ought to arrive at the hotel with a letter from England, and till that minute had come not the slightest sign of impatience did she manifest, but would sit as impassive as if she had no expectation on the subject. When the time had passed, however, and no letter had arrived, a strong change came over her. She was now as irritable and nervous as she had appeared apathetic before, and this irritation would continue until the letter was placed in her hand,

when she would put it in her pocket and then resume her ordinary quiet demeanour, apparently not casting a thought on the subject. This seeming indifference, however, was more the result of habit than anything else, for it would have been impossible for any one to have loved another more fondly or unselfishly than Miss Turner did the curate. The first moment she could conveniently devote to herself after having received the letter, she took it from her pocket, and every word was rather devoured than read.

The following week Miss Turner would retire to her bedroom, and then write a reply to her letter, and nothing could induce her to omit doing so on the appointed day, no matter how attractive some outdoor amusement might be at the time. At last both Mr. Gourlay (the name by which Miss Turner alone knew Christian) and his daughter gave up all further idea of proposing, on the day they knew she was to write her letter, any other occupation or amusement. Her reply posted, she would remain quiet till the next letter was due. Charlotte frequently, half in jest, half earnest, attempted to draw from her companion some description of the curate, but all without avail. Miss Turner, communicative enough on any other subject, was dumb on this, and at last Charlotte gave over questioning her upon it.

Occasional letters passed between Harcourt and Christian, and many between Charlotte and Mrs. Harcourt. At last one arrived for Charlotte addressed in a different handwriting; and then Miss Turner, who had hitherto not interfered in Charlotte's correspondence, proved that she was by no means unwatchful on the subject. She inquired from whom the letter came, and, without hesitation, Charlotte told her it was from young Harcourt.

"Well, my dear," said Miss Turner, "I think, before answering that letter, you had better ask your papa's permission."

Papa's permission!" said Charlotte. "And why ?"

"Because no young lady should carry on a correspondence with a gentleman without permission from her parents."

"But Giddy is only a boy, and we have been brought up together as brother and sister."

"Giddy may be a boy," said Miss Turner, "but I don't think he considers himself one. You will do well to show your papa the letter, and if he makes no objection, then answer it."

"Just as you please," said Charlotte; "though I do not think papa would care about reading it."

"No matter; show it to him, at any rate."

In the afternoon of the same day Charlotte took the letter to her father, who read it attentively, and then said:

"I am very pleased, my dear, to see Giddy has not forgotten you. When you next write to Mrs. Harcourt," he continued, with con

siderable emphasis in his tone, "ask her to tell him that you received his letter-and, in fact, send him any message you please."

It must not be imagined that Christian acted in this matter solely from the impulse of his own thoughts. Miss Turner had seen him since her conversation with Charlotte, and submitted to him the impropriety of a correspondence being continued between Giddy and a girl of Charlotte's age. Christian immediately saw the reasonableness of the objection, and thanked Miss Turner for having brought it under his notice. Charlotte did as her father requested, and sent her message to Giddy through Mrs. Harcourt, who was somewhat annoyed at the girl for not writing to her son, and mentioned the subject to her husband.

"I think it quite right, my dear," was his reply; "and whether Miss Turner or Christian has objected to her writing to Giddy, great discretion has been shown in the matter."

Mrs. Harcourt attempted to argue the point with her husband, but she found him inflexible. During the whole time of Charlotte's residence on the Continent no direct correspondence was carried on between her and young Harcourt, though scarcely a letter passed between his mother and Charlotte without containing some message from one to the other.

The winter passed, and when spring was somewhat advanced Christian, with his daughter and Miss Turner, left Paris for Geneva. They remained in Switzerland the whole of the summer, and when autumn set in they crossed the Alps into Italy, Christian having determined to pass the winter in Rome and Naples. On their way they visited Turin, Milan, and other towns on their road to Venice. With the latter city Charlotte was so much delighted, that she begged her father to remain there for some weeks-a wish which he unhesitatingly gratified. They afterwards passed through Bologna to Florence, and in the latter city remained a month. They then continued their way to Rome, where they stayed for three months, and afterwards proceeded onwards to Naples.

To detain the reader with any lengthened description of the events of their journey would be a useless waste of time. Suffice it to say, that each one of the party fully appreciated the different objects of interest which came under their notice. Neither the scenery of Switzerland nor the Italian lakes passed without eliciting the admiration due to them. The different objects of art in the Italian cities visited by them were also fully appreciated. Christian almost made a study of them. Not content with simply beholding them, he endeavoured as much as possible, either by reading or in the society of the more intelligent class of travellers with whom he met, to study in what manner the beauties he saw really consisted. At first the labour was great, but as it progressed he began better to understand the subject.