THE GAME OF CHESS.

seriously, I hope to love my wife, should I ever marry, with my whole soul. What misery to By the Authoress of "The Cottage in the Glen," "Sensi. have one with such discordant qualities, as would bility," "Losing and Winning," "Fashionable and Unfash-alternately kindle and quench the flame of affec

ionable Wife," &c.

"I can scarcely believe my senses," said Mr. Chauncey, as he was one morning sitting with Mrs. Atkins; "I can scarcely believe my senses, when I see my old classmate, whom I left just out of college, and my little friend, Susan Leigh, whom I found sitting on her father's knee, when I called to take leave before my departure for Europe-now married-settled-established in life! It seems impossible! I have always thought of you as a child!"

Mrs. Atkins smiled.

"You forget that we are all six years older than when you left us; and perhaps you forget, too, that I was the youngest child, and had the privilege of sitting on my father's knee much longer than daughters are wont to do. You and Charles are about the same age, and I am but five years my husband's junior. Do you feel too young to marry?"

"O, no,—I am now six-and-twenty-one year your husband's senior; and now that my wanderings are over, I should really like to marry soon, could I find a woman possessing those qualities I wish in a wife, who would unite her fate with mine."

"I conclude your taste has become fastidious, from your observation of beauty and accomplishments in Europe," said Mrs. Atkins.

tion! The heart must soon wither under such a process! It is my full belief, that

'L'hymen et ses liens

Sont le plus grands ou des maux ou des biens,' and I would therefore use circumspection in a matter of so much consequence. Let me rather pursue the journey of life alone, than to feel a doubt whether the society of my wife will increase or diminish my happiness! Should my heart ever be warmed to love," he added, while his eyes beamed in a manner that showed how deeply he could love-" Should my heart ever be warmed to love, may its fire be unceasingly fed by the same gentle hand that first kindled the flame-and may it burn brighter and clearer, until lost in that world, the only element of which is love! May my wife be a gentle spirit to accompany me in the path to heaven, and lure me back to it, if tempted to stray-and not a scourge to drive me thither as the only place of refuge from herself!"

"You have grown so solemn, Mr. Chauncey," said Mrs. Atkins," and seem to look for a wife so free from human imperfections, so angelic, that I am almost afraid to tell you that I am expecting a visit from two of my young friends, with one or other of whom I had hoped you might be pleased.”

"I do not expect freedom from human imperfections, Mrs. Atkins; but I do hope for freedom from gross defects. But who are these friends of

"No-not exactly so-but from close observation of domestic life, I design to be guided by judg-whom you speak?" ment, rather than fancy in my choice; and sincerely hope I shall never be so much fascinated by the charms of any one, as to be unable to form a correct opinion of her real character."

"You will not find it particularly easy to fall in love designedly," said Mrs. Atkins, laughing; "nor to save yourself from falling in love, by the efforts of reason and judgment. Of one thing, however, your remark has satisfied me-at present you are completely heart-whole.”

"That is certainly true; and it is equally true that I am perfectly willing to fall in love with the first lady I meet, with whom there is a reasonable hope of living happily."

"The eldest, who is not far from my own age, is my couzin, Augusta Leigh-and the other is Abby Eustace, my favorite school-friend, who is two years younger."

"And can you tell me nothing concerning them but their names and ages?" asked Mr. Chauncey. "No-positively I will tell you nothing else, except that either of them is pretty enough for a man who does not make beauty his first requisite in a wife; and each has fortune enough for one who does not marry expressly for money. This is all I will tell you; but as they will be here in the course of a week, you will have opportunity of studying their respective characters for yourself."

After a few minutes' thoughtful silence, Mr. Chauncey said—

"No, Mrs. Atkins, I think I shall not be fastidious; I think I shall be able to overlook imperfections in my wife, as I hope she would be willing to do in me. Qualities and acquirements which many might deem indispensable, I could dispense

"You really contemplate the subject with the most enviable coolness," said Mrs. Atkins, again laughing. "I do not recollect to have heard any young gentleman talk of love and matrimony with such perfect calmness and self-possession. How charming it will be, should the lady of your choice exercise as much judgment, and have as little enthusiasm as yourself! Truly, nothing would be likely to disturb the even tenor of your with; but there is one quality that I consider of way!" " primary importance-and next to pure and firm "It is very possible to talk of fire without grow-principles, that is what I shall seek for in my ing warm," said Mr. Chauncey, smiling. "But choice."

VOL. IV.-30

"And what is that?" asked Mrs. Atkins. "You will forgive me if I do not answer that question. I wish to observe and judge for myself, and shall be more likely to judge correctly, if it is not known for what I am looking."

turn came, her color was heightened to a burning glow, and a slight and rather tremulous courtesy, was the only answer she made to the few words of compliment he uttered." Has he forgotten!" thought she, as she resumed her seat-" Can he have forgotten?"

Well," said Mrs. Atkins, "you appear very moderate and reasonable in your demands—and Mr. Chauncey lengthened his visit to nearly an yet, were I an unmarried lady, I should be more hour, but it differed not materially from other afraid of you than of any young gentleman I have visits of a similar kind. The conversation was of seen. Really, you are so calm, and reasonable, a general and desultory character, and carried on and scrutinizing, as to be quite terrifying. Give in a lively manner by Mrs. Atkins, Mr. Chaunme the creature of impulse-of passion-of enthu-cey, and Miss Leigh-Miss Eustace never uttersiasm, who will be too much carried away with ing a word, except when directly addressed. On his own feelings, to be able to investigate my cha- taking leave, Mr. Chauncey promised to profit by racter too nicely; whose warm imagination will the invitation of Mrs. Atkins, to visit them very clothe me in virtues and attractions of its own frequently. He was literally in search of a wife; rosy hues. Surely," she added, after a moment- and it was his wish to become really acquainted ary pause, "Surely had Charles been of your with those young ladies he met, in whom there temperament, I should never have known the hap- was nothing which from the first moment told him piness of being his wife!" that an union with them was impossible. The two friends of Mrs. Atkins were certainly not of this number, and his study of their characters soon became deeply interesting: that of Miss Leigh, because she had a great deal of character; was free, entertaining, even fascinating in conversation, with a heart overflowing with kindly feelings, and a head filled with noble sentiments and independent thought; that of Miss Eustace, because he had to judge her by her countenance, as she was extremely retiring and taciturn when he was present. Her face, however, was no very dull study; for of her, if of any one, it might per

One day, about a week after the preceding conversation had taken place, Mrs. Atkins was seated in her parlor with her two friends, who had arrived a day or two before, when Miss Leigh, raising her eyes from the work that was in her hand to an opposite window, inquired who the elegant looking young man was, conversing with a lady, on the other side of the street.

"That?" said Mrs. Atkins, advancing to the window" that is Mr. Chauncey, one of Charles's old friends."

"Horace Chauncey, who recently returned haps have been said-"her body thought;" and from Europe?" asked Miss Leigh.

"The same," answered Mrs. Atkins. "He will give us a call, presently, I dare say, as he comes here very often."

occasionally, when he met her eye, there was a flash across his memory of something he had long before seen, or felt, or dreamed—an undefinable sensation of pleasure, but too evanescent to be caught or retained.

"How do you like Susan's guests, Horace?" Mr. Atkins inquired one day, after Mr. Chauncey had seen them a number of times.

"How am I to form an opinion of Miss Eustace?" asked Mr. Chauncey. "She indeed looks very much alive, but never utters a word when she can avoid it."

Before Mr. Chauncey arrives, there is just time to sketch a hasty outline of the portraits of the two young ladies. Miss Leigh was tall, well made, and commanding in her person. Her face was brilliant, with black eyes, and dark hair, but rather pale than otherwise, except when tinted by some degree of excitement. Miss Eustace was rather below the medium stature of woman, beautifully formed, and the most cheerful, happy looking creature in the world. Her eyes, shaded by long silken lashes, were of an undefinable color, and were dark or light, as intellect and feeling "Indeed!" said Mr. Chauncey. "But it has were awakened, or lay quiet. Her face was certainly not been so when I have met them. I blooming; yet the color was so constantly chang-think Miss Leigh peculiarly brilliant and pleasing ing its shade, that it seemed but the attendant on a in conversation. She appears to be a fine-a noble heart" alive to every touch of joy or woe."

Mrs. Atkins was right. In a few minutes Mr. Chauncey came in, and was made acquainted with the young ladies. When Miss Leigh's name was mentioned, she calmly raised her eyes, and answered his civilities with the self-possession that is common to well-bred young ladies, on being made known to a stranger; but when Miss Eustace's

"How!" said Mr. Atkins. "I have never discovered that she is not as conversable and entertaining as Augusta, and far more playful.”

girl."

"They are both fine, noble girls," said Mr. Atkins. "It is not every day that we meet those who are equally so."

Mr. Atkins had not often been at home when his friend was at his house, but Mr. Chauncey's remark led him to notice Miss Eustace particuiarly whenever he witnessed their succeeding in

terviews. One evening Mr. Chauncey was with | blooming face; them, and Mr. Atkins chanced to be seated a little possibly can." apart from his wife, her cousin, and Mr. Chaun

"make me look as pretty as you

"There!" said Mr. Atkins, after drawing the cey, who were, as usual, in the full tide of cap a little more on one side; "I will leave it to conversation, when Miss Eustace, on rising to leave the room, passed near him. He caught her hand, and drawing her toward him, said, in a low tone

the company if that is not a great improvement. Now, Augusta, let me try my hand at yours." "No, thank you, sir," said Miss Leigh, elevating her head, while her color was somewhat "Where is your voice this evening, Abby?" heightened "I will wear my cap according to my 'My voice!" said Miss Eustace.

"O, I am glad you have not lost it--but why have you not spoken for these two hours?" "And have I not?" asked Miss Eustace. "Scarcely," answered Mr. Atkins.

"Then I suppose it was because I had nothing to say," said the smiling girl.

own taste this morning, if you please."

"O, I beg a thousand pardons for my presumption," said Mr. Atkins-" Your taste is certainly much more correct than mine-I really beg your pardon."

Miss Leigh made no reply, but gave her hand to Mr. Chauncey, who was waiting to receive it,

"But you are not usually so silent," remarked and the little party immediately started on their Mr. Atkins.

"Perhaps it would be better if I were. But truly, though you may doubt it, there are times when I had much rather listen than talk." "Especially when my friend Horace is exerting his colloquial powers! hey?"

"Just as you please, sir," said Miss Eustace, again smiling, but with some little appearance of embarrassment, and withdrawing her hand, she left the room.

excursion. For awhile they all were rather silent, and seemed entirely engrossed in the management of their horses; but the weather was charming— their exercise exhilarating; and ere long each one was enjoying a fine flow of spirits. They rode several miles, and on their return home encountered a company of Irish people, men, women, and children. They looked way-worn and weary ; and the faces of some of the children even wore an expression of anxiety and depression, as if they felt all the force of the friendlessness, the helpnessness of strangers in a strange land. Mr. Atkins and his friends stopped to talk with them a few minutes, and bestow charity according to each one's ability or inclination, and then rode on.

Mr. Chauncey did profit by the invitation of Mrs. Atkins, to visit her very frequently. Miss Eustace interested him. He loved, when not too much engrossed in conversation himself, to watch the bright, the cheerful, the intellectual, the ever varying expression of her countenance. Her eyes "O, Mr. Chauncey," said Miss Leigh, in a seemed fountains of light, and love, and happiness; low tone, after riding a little way in silence, and the dimples about her mouth and cheeks, the "what pitiable objects those people were! As very abode of joy and content. There was some- good by nature, and undoubtedly, some of them thing about her to soothe and exhilarate at the at least, much more amiable in disposition than same time. But Miss Leigh soon awakened in myself-why is it that there is so vast a differhim a deeper, a more engrossing interest. Her ence in our lots? How is it that I can ever be talents, which were neither concealed nor dis- ungrateful or perverse, while thus distinguished played, commanded his admiration; her compassionate feelings and elevated principles won his esteem; so that scarcely three weeks had elapsed from the commencement of his acquaintance with her, ere he was more sedulously aiming to learn how he might render himself acceptable to her, than to ascertain whether the indispensable quality for a good wife, was a component part of her cha

racter.

One fine morning, Mr. and Mrs. Atkins, Mr. Chauncey, and the young ladies, were to go out on horseback. The three former were ready and waiting in the parlor, when the two latter came from their chamber.

"You have very becoming riding-caps, young ladies," said Mr. Atkins, "but I think neither of you have put them on quite right. Come, Abby," he added, playfully, "let me adjust yours more to my mind."

by unnumbered and undeserved blessings!" Her tone was that of the deepest sympathy and humility, and her eyes were swimming in tears as she spoke.

Had Mr. Chauncey uttered the thought of his heart, he would have told her, that she was the most amiable, the most lovely, the most deserving among the whole family of man! And his eyes did utter it, so far as eyes are capable of utterance, though his tongue only spoke of the vast disparity that Infinite Wisdom sees best to make in the outward circumstances of his creatures in this world. When about taking leave at Mr. Atkins' door, Mr. Chauncey received a pressing invitation to return to take tea, and spend the evening-an invitation he promptly accepted.

At an early hour in the evening Mr. Chauncey was seated amid his circle of friends in Mrs. Atkins' parlor. Before tea was brought in, and "O, do," said Miss Eustace, holding up her while at the table, conversation flowed as usual;

and it was conversation:-the exercise of the mind-the collision of wit-the interchange of opinion-the expression of sentiment;-and not the idle and frivolous chit-chat, nor the oftentimes mischievous and envenomed gossip, that is sometimes so miscalled. After the tea-things were removed, and the ladies had settled themselves to their several employments, Mr. Chauncey, at the request of Mrs. Atkins, read aloud the best of Mrs. Opie's tales, namely, "White Lies." Mr. Chauncey's voice was rich and mellow, his intonations and emphases perfect; so that whatever he read produced the full effect that the author intended. His present little auditory paid him the compliment of the most profound silence, till he finished the tale, and closed the volume.

"That is a faultless story," said Mr. Atkins. "Do you not think so?" All, except Miss Eustace, expressed their approbation of it in warm terms. She remained silent.

"What says my little Abby to it?" said Mr. Atkins. "Do you dissent from the common opinion?"

“I think it highly interesting and instructive," Miss Eustace replied, "but not faultless."

Pray point out the faults," said Mr. Atkins. "Let us have the benefit of your critique upon it."

Miss Eustace blushed, and begged to be excused. She was sorry she had expressed any feeling of disapprobation. But Mr. Atkins persisted that she should point out the defects she discovered, in which he was joined by the rest of the circle. Blushing still more deeply, Miss Eustace said

"Clara could not have felt true friendship for Eleanor, or she would not have manifested such indelicate joy, when the latter was proved so base." "Clara's own explanation, that she had a dearer friend, at whose escape she rejoiced, was a sufficient apology."

This opinion, though differently expressed, was uttered by every one at the same moment, Mr. Chauncey excepted.

That, as I think, is another defect," said Miss Eustace. "Was there no indelicacy in her permitting that dearer friend to see that she loved him, and calculated on the offer of his hand, while he yet had made no declaration of attachment to her?"

"Her amiable sincerity would atone for fault, if it could be called a fault," said Atkins.

Any

"In what other instance do you think she has done it, Miss Eustace?" asked Mr. Chauncey. "O, in many," Miss Eustace replied. one who understands the true female character, and who will read her works carefully, will easily detect them."

"O, name them-name them, Abby," said Mr. Atkins.

"Yes, name some other," said Mrs. Atkins. "There is one in Madaline' that now occurs to me," said Miss Eustuce," that struck me as grossly indelicate; and, indeed, not true to nature. Madaline says of herself, that she sang louder than usual one evening when she supposed that Mr. Falconer was listening behind the hedge, that he might hear her.'"

"Was that false to nature, as well as indelicate, Abby?" asked Mr. Atkins,

Coloring more highly than ever, while her silken lashes fell over her eyes, as if to conceal their deep expression, she replied—

"I should have supposed that the idea of the proximity of one so dear to her, under such circumstances, would have rendered it impossible for her to sing as loud as usual, if indeed she could sing at all."

Mr. Atkins, who was seated by her, whispered in her ear-" What happy fellow taught you so much of the effect of the tender passion, Abby?”

This question covered her whole face and neck with a glow of carmine; but in a low, and somewhat tremulous tone, she said—

"May not instinct teach a woman how she should probably be affected under such circumstances?"

Possibly," said Mr. Atkins-" but for all that, I do suspect you most grievously."

All the little party continued to converse in the most animated manner, Miss Eustace excepted. She was making a feather screen for Mrs. Atkins, and she now applied herself to her work with the most persevering diligence, and in perfect silence.

"Do let us hear the sound of your voice again, Abby," said Mr. Atkins, in an under tone. “You have now maintained the most profound silence for more than an hour. Pray speak once again.”

"I will," said Miss Eustace, "for I am just going to ask Augusta if my screen will do.” "I can tell you that it will," said Mr. Atkins, that" it is very handsomely made." Mr.

"Hardly, I think," said Miss Eustace. "I always was sorry the passage was written, especially as it was written by a woman, and have ever been inclined to jump it when reading the tale. I like not that female delicacy should be sacrificed, even at the shrine of sincerity. But Mrs. Opie not unfrequently sins against the more refined and retiring delicacy of her sex."

But Miss Leigh differed from him in opinion. "It is not so pretty as it might be, Abby," said she. "The different colored feathers are not so arranged as to produce the best effect."