tesy, or by any mark of preference to others, encourage the affection of a man whom you meant eventually to reject?"

66

'Decidedly I would not," said Gertrude aloud. "How unutterably childish is all this nonsense!" was her silent reflection.

"Then by your conduct I will measure mine," thought Wentworth. Just then he remembered that he had brought a volume of poems but lately published, for Miss Hoffman's perusal, but he could not recollect where he had put it. "In the entry perhaps, with my hat," he muttered, and forthwith he tripped out of the room to look for it. During his absence, Mary Somers yawned a little, and at last having nothing to think of, but being resolute to stay as long as Wentworth did, she turned to Miss Hoffman.

"What will you wear in your hair to-night, at Mr. Wilmot's?"

"Silver flowers," said Gertrude, briefly.

66 Do you like them as much as natural or imitation flowers ?"

"This is encouragement, decidedly, according to her views of things,” thought Mr. Wentworth, and hereupon his spirits greatly rose. But when, in the evening, she appeared with the "pure, sparkling, tremulous silver flowers" in her hair, he regarded it not less as an attention to his own taste, than as a triumph over Ireton, who had given his opinion in favor of natural flowers. He hailed the implied compliment-the marked preference. It is quite impossible to describe Mr. Wentworth's exultation. His satisfaction became quite exuberant, and Gertrude was terribly at a loss to understand the air of elation with which he led her to the dance as his partner. In her surprise, she actually exclaimed,

"You are in wonderful spirits to-night, Mr. Wentworth!"

"Not wonderful-I have reason," he replied with a smile of delight which was designed to be expressive in the highest degree. "To-night I would not exchange with any one in this world!”

"Not with Mr. Ireton ?" said Miss Somers, who overheard him. "See how happy he is with Mrs. Piercefield."

"I do not know that they are so pretty, but one likes a variety in these things," answered Gertrude, rising and walking to the window. Wentworth's eye glanced at them. Ireton was Wentworth now returned, and Ireton came in laughing at something which Mrs. Piercefield was with him.

"Which are prettiest for a lady's hair at night, Mr. Wentworth," said the idle Miss Somers, 66 'natural, imitation, or silver flowers ?"

"I think the color of the hair should decide," said Wentworth. In fair hair, like yours, Miss

saying, and they were looking towards the cotillon. "Let those who win laugh!" thought the exulting Wentworth, but to Miss Somers he only made

answer,

"Not now!"

Gertrude remained in the maze of mystification, Somers, the natural flowers are best. In dark and in ignorance of Mr. Wentworth's illusion. tresses like Miss Hoffman's, nothing is so pretty He seemed to her either a little tipsy, or delirias those pure, sparkling, tremulous silver orna-ously merry. ments."

"She is perfectly beautiful!" thought her en"What say you, Mr. Ireton ?" raptured admirer, pursuing her whithersoever she "I am not wise about such matters, indeed," went with "charmed eyes." She shall be Mrs. replied Ireton. "Whatever a lady patronises at Wentworth! The silver flowers do so become that present is best, I suppose. But if I prefer either, hair! As for her loving me, by Jupiter! she makes I imagine it would be natural flowers. They are it evident-evident! I wonder every body doesn't always beautiful.” Gertrude heard all this with see it. With her notions, she's encouraging indifference. The subject appeared to her per- enough for anything. I should not hesitate to fectly unimportant, and it never occurred to her propose the thing to-morrow. I'm sure of her, for that the opinion of either gentleman need decide she is not the woman to coquet with any body. I her dress. am a fortunate dog, I'll swear! But I'm a handsome dog too, there's the truth," he continued to

Wentworth approached with his book.

66

Poetry at your recommendation, Mr. Went- himself, looking into a long mirror opposite, which worth?" faithfully returned his beauty. "Women always like such fellows! No fear now of stupid Ireton!"

"You like it," answered Wentworth, neither in a low nor a marked tone," and you cannot think that your taste can fail to influence mine. Suffer me to leave with you this book," he added, as Miss Somers drew near, "it is the pledge of my conversion."

Next day he called again at Mrs. Piercefield's. That lady was sitting at work and Gertrude was reading to her. A glance told him that the volume in her hand was that he had brought her the preceding day.

All this sounded so much like common-place Another attention to his wishes! And who could gallantry, to which Wentworth was not a little ad- tell what she might have been saying of him bedicted, that it failed to strike the ear of Gertrude. fore he came in. Of course, such a man as he She very frankly took the volume, and promised must strike the mind of a young, imaginative, to read it.

Iwell bred woman!

As he entered, Gertrude paused. He begged Satisfied with this conclusion, Mr. Wentworth, her to read on, and she very readily complied. during the next two days, redoubled his attentions. She read several pages full of pathos and beauty, He called both mornings with lovely bouquets and between the finest passages Mrs. Piercefield which Mrs. Piercefield declared he must have obwould comment with enthusiasm. At last, at the tained by magic, as no one else could, so early in close of one portion which breathed the very the year, obtain the flowers of which they were spirit of poetry and tenderness, Gertrude stopped, composed. The second evening he spent with expressed her delight, repeated the passage, and, Gertrude, and finding himself for a few minutes as she did so, her eyes full of feeling, appealed, in the room with her alone, his language and manfirst to Mrs. Piercefield, then to Wentworth. Had ner became so unequivocal that Gertrude's color he been Mary Somers, who, for a wonder, was rose, and she began to consider how she should absent, the look would have been the same. But repress the feelings which Mr. Wentworth was awakened by the touching expression, he would evidently on the point of declaring. She was, have it his own way, and interpret it as the uncon- however, spared the trouble. Mrs. Piercefield enscious vehicle of her sentiments for him. No tered, took possession of her elbow chair, drew the wonder he was flattered-penetrated-delighted, stand which held her work and lights nearer to at this happy idea. "Any one must be blind who herself, and settled herself comfortably for the could not see that she loved him-that she pre-evening. Wentworth, with a faint murmur of imferred him to Ireton-to all the world. This was patience, turned away; and Gertrude joyfully seated a fortunate lot! It was-yes it was delightful to herself beside her old friend and began to admire know that he possessed the entire affection of such her work. Something in her looks struck Mrs. a woman! He had never before felt charity for sentiment, romance, and all that. He vowed he could comprehend them now!" He meditated a speedy disclosure of his feelings, and while he was in the mood, a little circumstance happened which determined him to lose no time.

One evening, when, towards the end of April, a very warm day had inclined most of the townspeople to raise their window-sashes, it chanced that Mr. Wentworth was obliged to call at the house opposite Mrs. Piercefield's upon business of importance to its master, as well as to himself. He staid with this gentleman about an hour, and when he again found himself outside the door, and at the head of a tall flight of steps descending to the street, his eyes were attracted by the lights which gleamed through Mrs. Piercefield's open windows.

Piercefield, she looked at her for one second curiously over her spectacles, and then, apparently satisfied, renewed her industry.

"How beautifully her color rose," thought Wentworth, turning over the first leaf of a sheet of music, to hide his vexation. "She was listening to me with so much sweet confusion. It might have been half settled by this time, if that troublesome old woman had not come in. I know very well she loves me!" "What a disagreeable business this is going to be," was Gertrude's reflection, as she put down Mrs. Piercefield's scissors and picked up her bodkin-in neither act displaying any particular object. "I ar am so glad Mrs. Piercefield came in! I never loved the old lady half as well before. But, Mr. Wentworth, if ever you do have another opportunity to go on with this matter, it shall not be my fault, I promise you."

To glance into her drawing room was natural enough, and it was not perhaps less natural that In vain therefore did Mr. Wentworth hope for Mr. Wentworth should be a good deal annoyed to another favorable moment for renewing the tender behold Miss Hoffman and Mr. Ireton "alone to- theme this evening. Miss Hoffman slipped out gether"-if that common expression is English- of the room, and sent a servant to beg that Miss and engaged in earnest conversation. He did not Somers would come and sing two or three duetts break in upon their tête a tête-he was too angry with her. She could not help smiling as the man with Ireton's presumption to trust himself so far. departed, and she foresaw the readiness with which He did not stay either to watch look or ges- Mary Somers would comply with the request he ture, but in a grievous pet, he hastened home. bore. According to her expectations, that young Before he reached his rooms, however, he had fully lady came with speed, and they divided the attenresolved not to defer his declaration a day longer-tions of the angry Wentworth, who, however, in order, as he prudently reflected, to “ possess the vowed that he would have his fate decided on the undeniable right to rid himself of that lounging, very next morning. disagreeable puppy." The next day, however, the first intelligence he received was, that Ireton had left town for two or three days.

Next day he called early, to avoid the presence of Miss Somers, whom he regarded as his evil genius. The first object that caught his eye, as "Right! she has discarded the silly animal! It the door opened to him, was the figure of Miss is like her. I am glad of it with all my heart!" Hoffman ascending the stairs. She held a handsaid Wentworth internally;-" I am sure it is so, or kerchief to her eyes he was sure, and when he he would not have left town-of course." asked for Mrs Piercefield, and was shewn to the

drawing room, he found her in evident agita- dear,” she added. tion.

"I hope they've not been quarrelling," ejaculated Wentworth to himself. "A wife with a high temper would be horrible."

Under the circumstances, he resolved to shorten his visit. He did not sit down therefore. He only asked how Miss Hoffman was.

“Miss Hoffman was well-perfectly well." "Excuse me, my dear madam, I hope nothing terrible has happened?"

"Nothing very terrible. Miss Hoffman had received some annoying intelligence."

"You know the house-go to Mrs. Williams the housekeeper, and she will help you." As you may suppose, I withdrew in haste, and went to look for Mrs. Williams. I found her in her room alone.

"Do pray, Mrs. Williams," said I, "tell me what is the matter with Gertrude? Don't you know?"

"Know? yes I know, and its a grievous pity," answered Mrs. Williams. "I never was so sorry for any body in all my life, before."

"What is the matter?" I asked.

plainly from one Well, just then newspapers, and

Why, this morning after breakfast," said Mrs. Evidently this was all Mrs. Piercefield meant Williams, "I was standing in the dining-room to communicate. He took leave at once, there- down stairs, seeing every thing put to rights, as I fore, saying he would call some other day, when do every morning, and the door of the dining-room, he hoped to find Miss Hoffman had only received which opens into the drawing-room, had been left false intelligence. He departed, curious, vexed wide open, and you could hear and uneasy, and took a long walk alone. As he room to the other, of course. returned, he passed designedly by Mrs. Pierce- John brought in the letters and field's. Miss Somers was coming through the gate. there was one letter for Miss Gertrude, and she From some indefinite hope that she might disclose began to read it, while John was saying something something of what was going on within, he offered to Mrs. Piercefield. Miss Gertrude had not read his arm. Very willingly did she accept it. He five minutes, I suppose, before she burst into tears, would have given a great deal to be able to ques-for I heard the old lady say "what is the matter tion her freely and frankly, but he reflected that my dear child?" and Miss Gertrude answered, she might repeat it, and that then he would not "Oh! my dear Mrs. Piercefield, what will become seem to have acted exactly an honorable part. of me. Only read this terrible letter from papa." He remained therefore scrupulously silent. "Read it to me, my love," says Mrs. Piercefield. "Were you not at Mrs. Piercefield's this morn-"I do not know where I have laid my spectacles. ing?" asked Miss Somers, who had her own rea- But if it is from your father, nothing terrible can sons for acting with less delicacy. have happened, surely."

"I was-only for a few minutes, though." "Did you observe anything unusual?"

66

"Well, Miss Mary, she read the letter, and it says that old Mr. Hoffman has lost all his fortune, and that Miss Gertrude may thank heaven now for her voice, and music; for he means to make her get her living by public singing-that is the meaning of it-though the old man dragged it out a long distance before he told it plain. And there was something about her mother being a public "At first I had fears indeed, but Mrs. Pierce- singer, as I understood it. Isn't it a pity, Miss field assured me that nothing terrible had happen- Mary? Nobody knows how grand people may ed-that Miss Hoffman had only received some have come from small beginnings, or how they unpleasant news." may get back to them. But I am sorry for Miss "Ay! she would not tell you, nor me either-Gertrude, for a public singer is almost the same and yet I know all about it! I went there this as a play-actress, and she does take on about it morning to get back a sheet of music which I left cruelly!" "This now, Mr. Wentworth," added there last night. I went first into the dining room-Miss Somers, "is the amount of what has happenyou know I am intimate there, and go every where ed. We have all been deceived as to Miss Hoffover the house. Well, there sat Gertrude in tears, man's family, since her mother was a pubie and beside her Mrs. Piercefield, talking to her in singer, and she might have been palmed off upon a consoling voice-the words I did not hear, but any family here under the idea that her standing the tone was very affectionate. My entrance was what it ought to have been. She has lost her seemed to disturb them, and of course I apolo- fortune too, and is herself about to follow her gized-said why I had come, and was retiring in mother's career-and, worse than all! they are haste. Mrs. Piercefield followed me a few steps, trying to keep things quiet. And yet I am sorry told me that Miss Hoffman had heard some bad for the poor girl," continued Miss Somers, in the news, and that she could not then leave her, but patronising tone of superiority, “this turn of forbegged I would go into the drawing-room and tune spoils all her prospects. Nobody would marry look for the music. "You will excuse me, my a public singer. But don't mention again what I

Nothing important. Mrs. Piercefield looked as if she was occupied with something disagreeable, and I fancied that I saw Miss Hoffman at a distance in tears for which I was sorry!"

"You have very little heart, notwithstanding, not to call that important.

have told you, on any account. I only tell you prospect which stretched far and wide before the because you saw the beginning of it all.” window.

"It is a beautiful evening," said Gertrude, and she sighed. "There was just such a sunset four days ago—and then I was so happy."

66

Wentworth looked as he felt, confused and concerned, but he dissembled his feelings as well as he could, and promised that the story should go no further. He was, however, penetrating enough And you shall be as happy, again and again, to guess Miss Somers's object in telling it, and my dear,” said kind Mrs. Piercefield. "I should could not forbear a reproach. "Let me advise fear that your father, who is as firm as he is ecyou too, Miss Somers,” he said, in a very dry tone, centric, would insist upon carrying into effect his "not to repeat to any one whatever this unfortunate barbarous plan, if it were not for what you have affair. Mrs. Piercefield might not like the manner told me. But that secures your interests so comin which you acquired your information, especially pletely without it."

as she did not choose to give it you herself-and

"Oh! my dear madam, that cannot now be other people might not understand how it happened." thought of. This disgraceful affair may affect his Miss Somers received this rebuke in silent an- delicacy in a manner that for the world—” ger and disappointment, and was hardly sorry when they reached her father's door, and he refused to go in. And now Wentworth was in a state of doubt and agitation, which he could not restrain.

"Not if I am a judge of character," said Mrs. Piercefield. "But rest satisfied, that, as your friend, and your mother's friend, even as the friend of my own sex, I shall leave things to themselves. I feel the utter impropriety of interfering." "Here Mrs. Williams opened the door.

"Mr. Ireton was below, and begged to see the ladies."

"Oh! go down to him, dear Mrs. Piercefield," cried Gertrude. "Tell Mr. Ireton every thing without reserve. He merits such frankness from me. Every thing demands it!"

Mrs. Piercefield left the room,

"I would not believe a word of all the insolent puss has said," he thought, "if it were not for my seeing so much myself. A public singer! And the daughter of a public singer! How easily a man may be deceived. But surely she has the air and manners of one better bred-though, for that matter, no one can judge of a family by its female members, they are so pliant, and adapt themselves so easily to the society they happen to "But where is Miss Hoffman?" asked Ireton, be with. I suppose, now, this old Hoffman is a after the usual greeting, and in a tone of disapregular bear? It is very lucky I did not exactly.pointment. propose the match! And that artful old Mrs. "She is well-she will see you, perhaps, prePiercefield, anxious no doubt to get her off her own sently; but she is in great distress, having to-day hands, and upon mine, would not say a word about received some painful intelligence." it. But I am too good for that yet, and too shrewd to be taken in by women, old or young, as that Yes, her father, as I have often told you, is Mary Somers shall find. The horrid old father equally eccentric and inflexible, and having spent too! I would not be connected with the creature his youth on the continent of Europe, returned for a duchy. Thank heaven! it all came out in hither with many ideas very different from those time. Jack," he added, to his servant who was we entertain. He is crazy on the subject of mustanding in the street before the tavern where he sic, and regards the fame of a public singer as one lodged, "get my baggage and every thing ready. of the brightest gifts in the hand of fortune."

I am going down to the country at two o'clock.
Make haste!"

66

66

Painful intelligence?"

"But this, I hope, has nothing to do with his daughter?"

Mrs. Piercefield made a full explanation, adding, "This communication is made at the express desire of Gertrude herself."

Mr. Wentworth drove out of town at the appointed hour, and thought it would be intrusion to call at Mrs. Piercefield's to take leave. As he left the place so suddenly, and did not return for "It is like her," said Ireton, thoughtfully. "I several weeks, he did not hear sundry things which trust, Mrs. Piercefield," he continued, "that Miss would have interested him. Before he had been Hoffman has been as unreserved towards you ?— apon the road an hour, however, he felt that he was I hope she has told you exactly how matters stand extremely unhappy, and in the country he did not find between us? How rejoiced I am that the circumthat his spirits improved. Of this, however, we stances you speak of were known to neither of us shall hear more hereafter. The same evening when we entered into the engagement! Now the utwhich witnessed his departure, found Gertrude most fastidiousness can find no motive to reject me." sitting with Mrs. Piercefield in her chamber. She "I thought-I was sure that Gertrude's scruwas still very sad, though composed. The sun ples, delicate as they were, were misplaced," said was going down, and filling the room, which looked Mrs. Piercefield, approvingly. "Do you know towards the west, with rich light. Mrs. Pierce- her first thought was to release you from all enfield called the attention of Gertrude to the glowing gagements which you might find burdensome?"

"Burdensome! I would not be released for the world! Do, Mrs. Piercefield, persuade her to see

me!"

"I will try."

"When will her father come?"

"In a few days."

"She was to be at several places. I don't know now, sir, where she is, exactly." "Mrs. Williams!"

"Sir."

"When I last was here, Miss Hoffman was in great distress. I have heard the cause." "Have you, sir?"

"That she had lost all her fortune, and was to become a public singer."

"Good gracious! Miss Somers has told you so' And when I told her, I did not know it was a secret. See what it is to be a fool! Dear! dear! dear!"

Mrs. Piercefield ascended the stairs, and presently Miss Hoffman came down alone. We have a great aversion to writing love-scenes, and therefore leave that which occurred this evening in Mrs. Piercefield's drawing room to the imaginations of all manner of readers-secure that this is leaving it in a fair way to be treated-variously to be sure-but far more copiously than our limits, or perhaps the facts, would allow to ourselves. Suffice it that Gertrude condescended to forget her 'Nothing in life, that ever I heard," said Mrs. scruples, and that Ireton thought her loss of for-Williams, full of surprise and alarm." tune a very inconsiderable misfortune.

"Don't be uneasy-you may do her a service. Only tell me what is it about her mother's being a public singer before her ?"

66

"Did you not tell Miss Somers so?"

A few days brought Mr. Hoffman. A council "Never in the world, sir. I told her the ol was held at Mrs. Piercefields's, but what was there man said in his letter, that “her fine gift of voice, debated, and finally settled, nobody, not even Mrs. was an inheritance from her sainted mother," and Williams, could discover. Soon after, Mr. Hoff-that I wondered if her mother had ever sung in man left with his daughter, and Ireton also public, for I did not quite understand what the old departed, but whether with them, or elsewhere, no gentleman meant. And Miss Somers said she one knew certainly, except Mrs. Piercefield, who had no doubt of it—that was all-every bit of 12. said nothing upon the subject. Miss Somers was I never heard for certain any thing about Mrs on the rack of unsatisfied curiosity, and when Hoffman, except that Mrs Piercefield says she was three weeks had elapsed without bringing her the sweetest woman she ever saw." news of Mr. Wentworth, she was indeed forlorn. “What a fool I have been," said Wentworth, Mr. Wentworth was still in the country, but Mr. | sighing—and he left the door. Wentworth was any thing but a happy man. He Conscious that mischief had been made by her felt as if something were lost to his world. He unintentional imprudence, Mrs. Williams, as soon hunted, visited, sought every amusement that the as she again saw Mrs. Piercefield, honestly told neighborhood afforded, for his prudence was satis- her all that had happened, and requested that she fied that he ought to drive from his mind all would write to Miss Hoffman, expressing her conthoughts of Gertrude. In vain. Never was he trition. Mrs. Piercefield did so very readily; ba a moment alone with himself, that sad and tender she assured the penitent Mrs. Williams that there recollections did not assert their claim. He was no harm done. We notice this here, although found the evenings, which he had been used a little out of place as to time. to spend with Miss Hoffman, intolerably lonely On the other hand, when Mr. Wentworth left and wearisome, and at last so strong did he feel Mrs. Williams, it was his resolution to seek out this chain of habit, and so warm was the senti- Mrs. Piercefield, and find out Miss Hoffman's ment with which she had inspired him, that, to his address. "And then," he said, 66 as she's withou own surprise, he found himself wishing that, in fortune, if I can, I will forget her, and if I can't the day of her affliction, he had shown her more rather than make myself miserable, I will follow of his attachment, and less of his caution. her, if it be to Jericho." In the meantime he made "If," he said, "her mother had only not been a | a visit to a wealthy friend in a distant county public singer, I might have brought my mind to It was a gay neighborhood, and he sought society. avert the calamity from herself, in spite of her He entered into all the amusements of the gentwant of fortune. Perhaps Miss Somers was mis-men, paid attention to the ladies, laughed, drani. taken. I will go to Mrs. Piercefield's and find played cards, hunted, danced, rode—had recourse. out, for as it is, I am ready to hang myself. in short, to all the occupations by which time may He rode to be agreeably disposed of. But, in the midst these diversions, he was by no means happy. He contrasted with all the pleasures he partook of, the quiet of domestic felicity-with all the women with whom he now associated, he compared the absent Gertrude. Need it be said that they suffered by the comparison ?—or that he turned disgusted

and called at Mrs. Piercefield's. Only Mrs. Williams appeared, and her account of things was in the last degree unsatisfactory.

"Mrs. Piercefield was in the country,-Mr. and Miss Hoffman had left town an age ago. She knew nothing more of them, not even where they were."

And where is Mrs. Piercefield-in the country ?" from it?