spacious apartment-" plenty of sea room. Well, compliment, she had ever had paid her, and that my lovely Nan," taking his daughter by the chin, she would certainly treasure it in the safest place "what smart things have you been saying?" in her memory."

Nancy smiled, but showed uneasiness at the lowering brows of her friends. The Miss Wards rose at the moment to waltz to the music of a flute played by one of the gentlemen.

"Don't like that," said the Captain, "too much turning and twisting-just like two young roosters fighting."

"Dear father," whispered Nancy, "don't speak so loud; you will offend the girls, they dance most exquisitely."

Braithwaite, remarking her increased annoyance, when the dance was over, in order to keep him silent, rose and recited Bryon's "Address to the Ocean." Captain Broadhorn knew and cared little about poetry, but the lines on this subject, spoken as they were, arrested his attention.

"Calm or convulsed-in breeze, or gale, or storm,
"Icing the pole or in the torrid clime,
"Dark heaving."

When these words were uttered, the Captain broke in with this exclamation-" Yes, by George, I've seen it in all these situations." And at these concluding lines

"For I was, as it were, a child of thee,
"And trusted to thy billows far and near,
"And laid my hand upon thy mane-as I do here."

"I have done it a hundred times," again chimed in the Captain. "Laid my hand, indeed—why I have sprawled out at full length upon it-glorious sport, I tell you."

"Flattery is acceptable to her from any source," said Letitia to Dr. Enfield. "Ever since that silly painter wanted her to sit for a portrait of St. Cecilia, her vanity has been unbounded."

"She's lovely-she's divine," cried the doctor. "Oh, I forgot that I was addressing one of her adorers," replied Letitia, scornfully turning away. The silence, and subdued air of Timberlake plainly indicated that he had not recovered from the shock of Miss Hurst's playing. To prove that his resources were not exhausted, he whispered to Harriet, who seated herself at the piano forte, and played a fandango, which he commenced dancing with much grace. In place of castanets, he held pieces of silver coin between his fingers, with which he kept up an incessant jingling.

"That was well done-very well done, Mr. Timberlake. I should like to learn that dance," said Nancy.

that you, Harriet, and I, should begin to-morrow "I was just going to propose," said Letitia, morning to receive instructions in it, from cousin Alfred."

Nancy declared a ready assent to the proposition, which reminded Braithwaite of her having promised him to take lessons on the harp, and approaching, he inquired, "what proficiency she had made?"

"Not any-she had, not even thought of it, her time had been so exclusively engaged.” A flush of mortification and displeasure mounted

"The old hippopotamus," whispered Letitia to the forehead of Braithwaite, who withdrew from Ward, to her sister. her side and sat down by Hortensia.

"Come," continued the Captain, "I'll give you something, myself. Braithwaite is the only one that has done anything worth hearing."

The President now stepped forward, thinking it high time to put a stop to this contemplated infringement of the rules, which she guarded with an iron hand, but the Captain was so boisterous, and Nancy so distressed, that she restrained the exercise of her authority. Captain Broadhorn sung the "Bay of Biscay," in a voice which made the windows rattle, and the glasses jingle on the waiters.

"I have been speaking of 'Don Juan,'" said the latter, and naming a particular passage, requested him to recite it.

"Don Juan," repeated Mrs. Ward, elevating her eyes and hands, and speaking almost audibly. "Good Heaven! I think that is pretty well for a young lady of sixteen."

"Don Juan," responded Harriet, catching her mother's horror; "she ought to be ashamed to acknowledge, that she has read it."

Miss Hurst did not hear this, but it reached the ear of Braithwaite, who, turning to Harriet, remarked, that she betrayed by her censure, her own knowledge of the contents of the book. Come, confess you have read it."

"Some parts, I have," answered she, deeply blushing, "but not all--when I read it, I skipped." "For joy?" asked Braithwaite, with emphasis, but at the same time smiling.

"What do you think of that?" he asked, when he had ceased. "Did you not fancy you heard the wind whistling through the shrouds? What effect had it upon you, Miss ?" he inquired of Hortensia. "Oh, it has made me quite sea-sick, Captain." "That proves you a good judge of singing, but a fresh water sailor. You are a neat little craft, though"-looking at her rose-colored dress-"light Braithwaite's smile always gave his countenance and graceful as the pink-sailed pirate boats, I have so agreeable an expression, that when it accompaseen scudding among the Grecian Islands-and nied words of severity, it softened their effect. make as many captives too, I dare say." Harriet Ward, looking in his face, forgot the cutMiss Hurst declared this was "the handsomest ting sarcasm he had just uttered, and also smiled.

"He sings delightfully, and is most excellent company," continued Nancy-" don't you think so?"

"Without hesitation, I can give an affirmative to your first question," answered Braithwaite; "but unless you wish me to sin against the laws of gallantry by differing from you, I beg that you will not insist upon the second."

"Is he jealous," thought Nancy-" can neither his good looks, nor his uncommon sense shield him from that tormenting passion?"

Braithwaite would have resumed his seat by Miss | This speech, if intended for a compliment, was Hurst, but Dr. Enfield had availed himself of the certainly not taken in that light by Braithwaite, opportunity of taking possession of it. She was who made no reply. listening to the doctor, with a comic smile, and a slight curl of disdain, visible on her beautiful lip. This was an expression that, unhappily, too often found place there, and though it might interfere with her amiability, it detracted nothing from her beauty, being rather in character with the general east of her features. Miss Hurst, in childhood, had been left with an aged grandmother, whose infirmity and imbecility rendered her the charge, instead of the guardian of her granddaughter. This, perhaps, might account for the marked decision of Miss Hurst's manner, both in speech and She smiled, as these thoughts passed quickly action-for her independance in demeanor--and a through her mind, which Braithwaite perceived, too great readiness to declare her sentiments on and thinking she was ungenerously sporting with all occasions, but, withal, she was elegant and an attachment which should have been held sacred, well-bred. The President held up her watch-it his face assumed an air of coldness and displeawas eleven o'clock. Dr. Enfield, as a member, sure. Whether or not this was noticed by Nancy, claimed the privilege of the next meeting, being her manners suddenly changed from gay indifferheld at his house. Though it had been generally ence to an assiduous effort to please, which conunderstood that the Club was to meet only at the firmed him in the opinion of her studiously intendhouses of the ladies, yet there had been nothing ing to trifle with his feelings, and the blood deeply distinctly specified on the subject, which prevented dyed his face, as he reflected that it was below the any reasonable objection being made to this propo- dignity of his manhood to be made the puppet of a sition. Letitia bit her lips with vexation, and her woman or, even allowing that her design was to adieus to the retiring guests were haughty and dig-force him at once to an open avowal of his love, nified, so much was her mind preoccupied with he disapproved yet more of her behavior, deeming displeasure, at the adroit contrivance of Mrs. Enfield and Miss Straddle, to frustrate her wish of entirely excluding them from the Club.

CHAPTER VI.

"What sudden anger 's this? How have I reaped it." Henry VIII. "The last link is broken that bound me to thee."-Bailey. It was not until after the lapse of several days that Braithwaite again visited Nancy. He had been dwelling with fond recollection on the first dawn of his passion, and the many visionary fabrics of happiness, his fancy had reared in connection with her image. The probable overthrow of these, and his partial estrangement from her, induced a feeling of melancholy which was increased by believing that the fickleness of her conduct towards him was owing rather to the instigation of others, than to the bias of her own, uncontrolled inclinations. It was with a heart softened by such reflections, that he entered a house where he had passed so many hours of unalloyed felicity. Nancy was seated at a table, writing, and Braithwaite found it difficult to interpret the blush with which she rose to receive him.

that the pride and delicacy of every lady should forbid her, when matrimony was in the question, resorting to measures bordering, in the remotest degree, upon coercion. Nancy was, however, too pretty and agreeable for him long to resist her attractions. Each angry emotion insensibly subsided in the bosom of Braithwaite, who betrayed towards her all his former partiality. A servant entered with a message from the Wards, to say that they were waiting for her to take a lesson in dancing the fandango. Forgetful of politeness, Nancy instantly sprung up, and Braithwaite also arose from his seat.

"Pray, sit down," said she, "there is no need of my being in haste;" but the impatient look accompanying these words, was not lost upon her lover. No," he said, hastily, "I would not detain you for the world, from those who seem to have engaged your whole senses and affections."

66

"You always take particular pleasure, Mr. Braithwaite, in interfering with my friendships." Nancy colored and spoke angrily.

"You take me, too seriously," said he, aware that his feelings had betrayed him into petulancy. "I have not erred past forgiveness, I hope ?"

He held out his hand; but Nancy, resolving not

"I am afraid," said he, "that I have broken in to forfeit her dignity by being too easily appeased, upon some agreeable employment."

The interruption is full as agreeable as the employment," said she. "I am copying the words of a song for Mr. Timberlake."

turned away.

Braithwaite laughed, in order to give a lighter color to the affair; but when she added, “I, moreover, sir, consider your interference officious," he,

in his turn, grew warm, and bowing, with an air "Pray, do not; it will have no effect-'foreof constrained politeness, left the house. warned, forearmed,' you remember."

"She loves me still," muttered he between his clutched teeth. "Yes, loves me far above the eoxcomb she pretends to prefer;" but this opinion received more support from his pride than from his reason, and the freshly revived feelings of love, with which he had sought the presence of Nancy, were doomed by her fickleness once more to expire within him.

All the gentlemen had assembled except Mr. Timberlake, before the interruption of the tableaux vivans; for Miss Straddle, tired of the stretch she was making to please, had also descended from her gilded frame. Mrs. Enfield expressed surprise at the detention of the female members; but it was evident from the fines that showered in, that they were determined not to honor the doctor's meeting with their presence.

"The treasury will be enriched to-night," said Mrs. Enfield, " and I will venture to affirm that the heads of those silver pieces, in many cases, contain as much as the real ones that might have been here in their stead."

Braithwaite did not forget, when the next Wednesday arrived, that the "Club" met at Dr. Enfield's. Accordingly, when the hour of seven arrived, he repaired thither. Several gentlemen had already assembled. Mrs. Enfield came forward to receive him, arrayed in the dress of a Russian Miss Straddle looked scornfully, and rightly atlady of rank, furred up to the eyes. Advancing tributed the whole to the influence of Letitia Ward. further into the long apartment, he suddenly paused, "She moulds them to her will," she said. as he remarked two frames at the extreme end of "What a responsible situation I am placed in," it. One contained Dr. Enfield and Miss Hurst- said Hortensia, "being the only lady of the Club, he, as the victor of a tournament, was receiving present. Mrs. Enfield and Miss Elmira, as we his reward of valor from the hands of Hortensia, are beyond the cognizance of the higher powers, who was dressed in the rich costume of a high born I suppose I may venture to call in your assistance, dame of yore. The figures were strikingly ele- as members pro-tem. But first, let me exhibit gant. The lean limbs of the doctor-encased in some of my qualifications ;" and placing herself at pasteboard armor, much too large for them-re- the piano-forte, she began playing in a manner, ceived, in consequence, a fulness denied by nature, few had ever heard surpassed. She sung too— and the beauty of Miss Hurst, which admitted of a great deal of decoration, was enhanced by the splendor of her garments. Braithwaite gazed long and intensely at the immovable figures, till slapped on the back by Mr. Gunn.

and what a heavenly voice!-it thrilled through Braithwaite's heart-such a voice, if exerted in a public capacity, would have insured its possessor, wealth. It seemed a struggle between Dr. Enfield and Mr. Gunn, who should turn over the leaves of "Look,” he whispered, "look for pity's sake, at her music book, as they hung over the back of her the other picture ;" and obeying the direction, Braith-chair, in breathless delight. The evening passed waite saw that the next frame contained Miss Strad-off delightfully. Braithwaite scarcely thought of dle, as Rebecca in Ivanhoe, in a headlong attitude, Nancy, or if he did, it was only to condemn her ready to take the fatal leap from the battlements, for having united with others, in being malicious to avoid the persecution of Brian de Bois Guil- and disagreeable. All were surprised at discoverbert. This ruffianly knight was represented, how-ing that it was midnight, and long past the hour ever, only in part, by a helmet stuck in one corner for breaking up. As the rules had thus far been of the picture frame.

"Deuce take me," said Gunn, bursting with laughter, "if she does not look like an old chamois pitching head-foremost from a glacier."

encroached on, Mrs. Enfield added something more substantial to the light refreshments of the night. Miss Hurst remained a few moments after the departure of the company, waiting for a convey"Do you observe Almira," said Mrs. Enfield to ance to take her home, which not arriving, BraithBraithwaite who could scarcely restrain his risi- waite offered to be her escort. In the early part bility within bounds-"How wonderfully she main- of the evening, Dr. Enfield had unfolded, in confitained the painful medium between falling and stand-dence, to Braithwaite his attachment to Miss Hurst, ing erect?-most extraordinary exhibition of thew which he was afraid to make known to that young and sinew!" lady, himself, not being sufficiently assured of the

This caught the ear of Miss Hurst, who, break-reception his proposals might meet with. ing into a laugh, and springing to the floor, ex- "There is an amicable rivalship," the doctor claimed, "Come, Dr. Enfield, do not let us confine said, "between Mr. Gunn and myself. I believe, our talents any longer within such narrow limits," however, he has relinquished the idea of addressand the enraptured champion followed her example. ing her, as she has never given him encouragement "I am going to pay you a compliment," said to do so." Braithwaite, inspired with gallantry at the extreme loveliness of Hortensia, which seemed suddenly to have burst upon him.

Dr. Enfield desired Braithwaite to sound Hortensia on the subject, and had purposely arranged that she should walk home, in order that an oppor

"You jest," said Miss Hurst, looking quickly dence, where Baaithwaite wished her "good mornup at him.

“Then I am sorry," said she; "for this would seem to involve me in the vanity of having trifled with Dr. Enfield's feelings, though I can hardly think he would thus accuse me. No, Mr. Braithwaite: I have too great a regard for the doctor advantage was on the side of the latter. Miss and all his family, ever to have encouraged a hope, I never meant to fulfil-but be assured," she added, laughing, "that he is too great an admirer of the sex, in general, to break his heart for one."

"You are abroad early this morning," he said, dame, left the gentlemen to the free indulgence of rather dryly.

"Yes, this is papa's birthday, and I wish to sur- were given of whaling voyages, and descriptions prise him with a present."

riment increased. Braithwaite and the young men well, and gained, what he was dying for-the apwere the first to quit the table for the drawing-room, probation of Miss Hurst. Braithwaite gave some where they found Mrs. Mustin presiding over the fine extracts from the poems of Mrs. Hemans, and tea-urn, and Nancy weaving a watch-guard for being solicited, he more than once spoke from the Mr. Timberlake, which was in reality severing the same celebrated source. last link that bound her handsome lover to her. There are few, so mean-spirited, as to love on through every slight, and Braithwaite, with one sigh over his expiring passion for Nancy, and another for the fate he fancied she was weaving for herself, resigned her at once-and forever.

CHAPTER VII.

that,

"Lord Bacon remarks", said Letitia, 66 some books ought to be tasted, others swallowed;" now for the vast quantity Mr. Braithwaite has given us from Mrs. Hemans, I think he must have obeyed the latter part of the injunction."

This was addressed to Nancy in a voice sufficiently loud to be overheard by him, and watching to see how it was received, he perceived her smile, though it seemed rather an effort to gratify Letitia than a

The Club continued to meet, preserving still its usual characteristic traits-some sense, more non-voluntary tribute to this ill-natured sally. Braithsense, and an abundant sprinkling of wrangling and cutting sarcasm. The haughty President did not forget at the meeting subsequent to that at Dr. Enfield's, to impose fines on all who had been present at the latter, for violating the rules by late hours and indulging in unconstitutional refreshments. Her right to the exercise of this power had been entirely overlooked by the offenders, and few at the time were prepared to discharge the penalty.

"It is just," said Miss Hurst; "but as I had forgotten my liability, I have neglected to come provided as I ought.'

"I suppose I must consider it a compliment in Miss Hurst's acknowledging that I act correctly, as her meed of praise is always so scantily bestowed," observed Letitia, ironically.

"I certainly have to regret," answered Hortensia," that those in high stations are generally more deserving of censure than commendation."

waite had, latterly, lost much of the favor of the Wards by his steadfast repulse of Harriet's attentions, and from appearing too frequently by the side of Hortensia; but as he valued not their regard, he paid little heed to its diminution. That object of their malice and secret envy was decked with even more than her usual taste and profusion, for Miss Hurst, by the judicious arrangement of her ornaments proved that the latter could be indulged in, not inconsistently with the former. The full sleeves of the crimson velvet dress, looped to the shoulder with gold and gems, served as a contrast to the white arms, the wrists of which were encircled with similar ornaments. One of the bracelets fell, unobserved to the floor, which Braithwaite raising, placed in his pocket with the design of making it a plea for a visit to Hortensia the following day. Accordingly, when the time arrived, this stratagem was not forgotten; and with an agitation of which he was ashamed, he found himself On this occasion, essays on the subject of for the first time, a visitor at the house of Miss "Thought," were to be given in by the several Hurst. The room into which he was ushered was members. The authors were to remain anony- small, but fitted up with elegance. The bright mous; and, to prevent tediousness, the pieces were rays of a meridian sun, streaming through the large not to exceed a certain number of lines. Among windows in front, were mellowed by the heavy folds these, as may be imagined, there were some good, of the purple drapery that hung from them. To but the generality were indifferent. One, how-beguile the moments he was alone, Braithwaite ever, claimed a decided superiority above the rest. opened the leaves of a volume that lay near, beIn some passages it was deep, and even metaphy-side which was one of the embroidered gloves of sical; in others, full of light and playful humor. the lady; but he was not like the devoted Petrarch, It was instantly attributed to Braithwaite, who, so romantically enamored as to make it his prize. struck with its merit, was too generous to appro- "To what must I attribute the pleasure of a priate it. Though in direct opposition to one of visit from Mr. Braithwaite ?" said Hortensia, enterthe rules of the Club-" neither to acknowledge nor deny the authorship of a piece," he seriously dis- Braithwaite started at the sound of her peculiar claimed having written it, and paid the forfeit. voice, and without either returning her graceful It was evident to him, that it was from the pen of bow, or obeying her signal to resume his seat, reHortensia. He marked the changeful expression mained still gazing at her, until an undisguised of her face as he praised it, and soon after, finding laugh recalled him to recollection; and knowing an opportunity to steal it from the basket where it that it had been indulged in, at his expense for lay with the rest, bore it away as a precious relic having made himself ridiculous, he colored and of the genius of the young writer. Mr. Gunn was took a seat. more fortunate than heretofore,-he went off, and every body heard him, except Nancy and Timberlake. He recited several humorous verses really

ing.

It was the first time he had seen Miss Hurst in broad daylight, and so far from suffering by being brought to a clearer inspection, she only showed to