gave me flowers-yes! the everlasting flowers which shall bloom to all eternity!" "Good, good, my dear niece! But I guessed at your motives; so I beg to offer you a few lines I made when I was sixteen, upon a governess, whom I loved dearly. You will think I have a good memory, when I am now sixty-seven. They are thus “Why consign those fair roses to bloom unobserved? If they 've no lasting fragrance to call to their aid." "How sweetly simple, yet expressive," said Laura; "the minds of girls in the present day are not so taught. I am sure if I were to try for ever, I could not compose such lines." Ellen felt more than she expressed, and simply remarked, "they were far too flattering and kind, but that she should value them.” “Education in your day," observed Mrs. Lockyer, who had been a silent listener, "was far more sterling; and every child's proper talent was brought into play by judicious teachers." "Very true," my dear sister; "we had no parlezvous nonsense, or one-half of our time squandered in learning a language from which nothing useful could be derived. We were made sound English scholars, as dear Hannah More said; our memories were made store-houses; so when the harvest failed, a resource was at hand, or at home, if you please." Surely, my dear aunt," said Laura, "you do not disapprove of young people learning languages? In the present day you can hardly take up a modern work, without a consistent knowledge of the French language, with its most refined idioms. Besides," added she, "I would not be ignorant of French on any account, for it is so expressive a language, and we can say such pretty things to friends, which in English would be de trop." "Well, well; French may be all very well for sentimental ladies and love-sick swains," said Aunt Dorothy, "but I am quite sure, as a nation, we are not improved by so much intercourse with our neighbours, who dance their lives out. Look at the polkas, waltzes, and all those hugging dances; to my mind repugnant to a refined Englishwoman! Look at those creatures, called Frenchmen, with rats'-tails over their lips, with the tip cut off to stick on the chin. No wonder if rats in England be exterminated, since there are so many puppies in need of rats'tails the moustache as it is called. A'musty spot,' I once heard it humorously styled. A hair-dyer must be a good trade in our day, for every man who wears a moustache, has black hair!" "Oh! be not so severe, dear aunty," said Ellen, "remember, royalty rules the day, and we should be careful not to trespass on ground so revered." The conversation so interesting was now inter rupted by a servant, announcing that a man of a very respectable appearance, on horseback, wished to speak to Mrs. Lockyer. 66 Request him to alight, and demand his name? Will you object to his coming in, sister?" asked Mrs. Lockyer. Captain Hardy was in an instant in the presence of the ladies. A tall, rough-looking man, with a pleasing address, and still more agreeable countenance. He approached the party with deference, and said, the object of his intrusion was to solicit from their ladyships a short hearing, about a mine, a silver mine of great promise, and which must prove a most valuable investment. "It is in our own immediate neighbourhood, ladies," continued he, "I am the captain ;" and then, taking some large pieces of the ore from his pockets, with silver veins running through lead, he largely descanted upon the immense value and properties of the treasure. Mrs. Lockyer thanked the good man with much civility for his kindness in calling; but remarked “she never had anything to do with traffic in the bowels of the earth. In fact, ladies were not judges, it was not in their province to speculate; therefore all must beg to decline any more information." Possibly, madam, your son might like a few shares," added Captain Hardy. 66 "Oh, no! He is far too young to be any judge." "I am a judge, though," said Alfred, hearing the 70 SPECULATION. last words coupled with his name. fellow, what is your business?" "So, my good Captain Hardy seized the golden moment. And Alfred declared "if he had two hundred pounds he would use it all in buying shares in the silver mine.” "Get my cheque-book, my dear boy," said Aunt Dorothy, who had only hitherto listened," you shall try your luck for once!" "There, sir, put down my name for shares to that amount." The astonished Captain Hardy heartily thanked her ladyship, and bowed himself out of the presence of those who had so generously aided his efforts. "There, there, Alfred!" said Aunt Dorothy; "you, sir, have made me do what I never did before— speculate. The shares are all your own, so make the most of them." "Ten thousand thanks, dear aunt, but did you ask what calls were to be made upon the shares?" "Calls! my dear, what do you mean?" "Oh, nothing more than as the mine is in its infancy, it is more than likely you will have more to pay on each share." 'Well, well," said the astonished Aunt Dorothy, "the thing is done, we must make the best of it!" “Have you seen Major Spencer to-day?" inquired Alfred. "He has letters from India of moment, about the failure of a bank. He fears he shall be obliged to go there, but purposes calling on you, mamma, to-morrow; so Laura may have a trip to India, if she prefer it to the quiet Retreat." MAJOR SPENCER IN TROUBLE. CHAPTER XVI. 71 "One thrilling pressure of the hand, It was a morning to inspire jocund feelings of happiness when the Major called at the Retreat, but his heart was ill at ease. "So Mrs. Lockyer advanced to receive him before he ascended the steps which led into the house. it is true then, sir, that we are likely to lose you," said Mrs. Lockyer. "I fear so, my dear madam, or I shall lose thousands," said the Major. "I think so little of the voyage, for it is no more than a journey from Dover to London. To leave Laura is my greatest trouble, for I can scarcely expect she will consent to accompany me." "If she were even so inclined, Major, I could not part with her. No, no! rest assured she will anxiously await your return. You have no reason to fear |