"I fear, Major Spencer, I have already gone too far to retract, if mamma will crown all with her sanction, as you well remember on the condition only of her approval did I consent to receive your addresses."

"Major Spencer," said Mrs. Lockyer, with great emotion, "I can scarcely disapprove of your attentions to my child, seeing as I do so much in your favour, and if after a lapse of time, you are both of the same sentiments you now avow, I will, if it please Him who orders all things, say to you, Take her, 'the treasure is yours.' I have several duties before me to-day," said Mrs. Lockyer, "I must not, therefore, trespass farther upon time which I cannot recall. You will kindly excuse me, Major." So saying, she left the happy pair to converse freely on future prospects.

"It is wise and well to look on the cloud of sorrow as though we expected it to turn into a rainbow."

"Though foibles may sometimes o'ertake him,

His footsteps from wisdom depart;

Yet my spirit shall never forsake him,

If he own the affectionate heart!"

"Beware of judging hastily. It is better to suspend an opinion, than to retract an assertion."

"I HOPE Alfred will arrive in time for the dinner," said Mrs. Lockyer, when standing at the drawingroom window, awaiting the arrival of guests.

"I was not aware," said Laura, eagerly," that you had heard from my brother; what has expedited his return? Good luck only, as he calls it?"

"I hope you will school him, mamma," said Ellen, "not to teaze his poor old aunt, but to moderate his high spirits when in her presence; for my part, I dread his boisterous ways, he turns the house upside

D

down, and you are far too indulgent to him. I trust you will keep him in better order; he is just at the age to require a strict eye over him."

"Alas! my dear Ellen, I need not be reminded how wanting a father's eye is over a son, in preference to a mother's surveillance. I am very thankful,” continued Mrs. Lockyer, “he has no vice, and though prone to error, he errs from want of thought; a look from me will in an instant subdue him, and bring all his better feelings into play. Left as I was with a family, in the double capacity of both parents, I feel I am blessed in my children; but my gratitude to an all-wise Providence, is not commensurate with all I receive at His gracious hands. I deplore my short-comings and deficiencies in His service, but 'He knoweth our frame, and remembereth whereof we are made.'

The sound of carriage-wheels interrupted this conversation between mother and daughters.

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Well, my dear mother!" said Alfred, rushing into the room, and embracing her, "here I am, safe and sound, fearfully hungry and tired."

"You are come quite à-propos, for we shall dine in an hour, with a few friends to join us."

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Capital!" replied Alfred, "the more the merrier." "I think you are improved," said Laura, looking affectionately at her brother.

"I will answer for that," said Alfred, laughingly, "for when I left you I was no cook, now I can fry bacon, poach eggs, grill a herring, make good coffee

and capital tea, when I can get the stuff; blow bellows, light a fire, and make a bed into the bargain; I am called General Scout, being the junior of the room. All these accomplishments devolve on me; sometimes I get a respite by a turn into the black hole; where the authorities are kind enough to send us occasionally, to save their bacon,' for we get no meat in such retreats."

"Well, well, my love," said Mrs. Lockyer, "you do not look as if you had been badly treated," and gently stroking his smiling face, she said, "Retire, and prepare for our friends."

The guests were now announced. Mrs. Lockyer met Mrs. De Tracy with much cordiality, and observed, "I have not seen you since the ball, to offer you my best thanks.”

"Oh! yes," said the Major, springing forward, " and I have to give you a million thanks!"

"Oh, you quiz!" said Mrs. De Tracy, "you quite cheated me. I little supposed you had so much finesse !"

"Oh, what will a man not do when he is in love!" said the Major, looking earnestly at Laura.

"Why, resort to all expedients," as you did, said Ellen.

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Madame!" observed the Major, "I beg with all deference to say to you, as a great emperor said to a wag, who was laughing at him for amusing the heir to his throne, who was an infant, Wait until you are in my circumstances, before you censure others.'"

Ellen blushed deeply, and at that instant Mr. Devereux entered.

"For nature plants shame in every heart,
Which serves instead of grace:

And when it leaves that better part,

It flies into the face."

Dinner was duly announced, and the usual preliminaries having been gone through, and with the various changes which compose a good dinner, a salmagundi was introduced, beautifully made, and most tastefully ornamented; it was intended rather as an amusement than otherwise, and was ordered expressly by Laura, for Mr. William Catchstraw, he having at the ball so warmly dilated upon its delicious quality-variety!"

"Now, Mr. William," said Laura, smilingly, "your favourite dish is your vis-à-vis, and I hope you will do complete justice to it. Oil, vinegar, pepper and onions, are its delicious concomitants."

"I thank you, Miss Laura; though I have nearly dined, I cannot refuse to partake of your friendly remembrance, and so expressly for me-it flatters me more than I can express, and," continued Mr. William, "I shall henceforward cease to love variety! and feel perfectly satisfied with one of a kind.”

Major Spencer, who sat by Laura, tried to look amiable, though he could not unriddle such marked attention to her.

Mr. William perceiving his altered countenance,