myself to Willow Wood for the holidays. The consent to go was as joyfully given as asked. We all travelled down together, Selina, Isabel, and I, with Neale for our protector, instead of aunt Scann. The contrast of the two journeys was great. Before, we were going from certain happiness to an uncertain fate. Now, we knew what we had to expect, and hended what we had left. still better compre Neale, in her way, helped to make the difference greater; for unlike the vigilant aunt Scann, who saw, even in the porters, a lurking enemy, Neale gloried in the admiration her young ladies excited, and would have deemed it no more than due to them, if a score of young men had turned the steam-engine into a modern and temporary Juggernaut, in their efforts to catch a glimpse of such blooming faces. We arrived without accident, and had what Neale called "a royal welcome !" How good I thought my uncle as he took Selina in his arms, and kissed her, as he did Isabel and me, saying-" Excuse me, my dear, all young ladies coming to my house are my daughters." And how I thought my aunt no ways altered, as she treated Selina with the highest courtesy as a guest, curtseying with as much grace as lay in her power. And how pretty Selina looked, as she disdained the curtsey, and with a blush and a smile said "Am I not to kiss my aunt?" And how I was very nearly smothered by the children, until vigorously rescued by nurse, who, setting me up on a chair, said-"Bless her sweet eyes, they are just the same! and how you be growed !" CHAPTER XXIV. "Our host hath spread beneath our tread Our fretted palace roof: 'Well spent,' say I, 'in forestry, Each summer day like this.' WILLIAM ALLINGHAM. "So, my little Nellie, you have not spread your wings, and flown ?" "No, uncle, I wished to see you again." "Good child! Have you found work to do, and a purpose to live for yet?" "I hope so, uncle.” "That is well. You are improved, my child, in looks, and grown. I do not fear now that you will leave us with sudden alacrity." "What do you mean, my dear Berrington?" exclaimed my aunt, greatly puzzled to put facts to what seemed fables. "When Nellie was with us before, she was only half here. Now I can see by her eyes that dreams have given place to realities; each pinion has its earthly tie bound round it never to be loosened until its duty is performed." "Nellie always did her best," said my aunt, apologetically. "I think Isabel handsomer than ever, and more like you, Berrington." This latter part was said in a whisper; but my uncle answered aloud "Thank you, my dear! It is hardly possible to say which is most complimented, Isabel or I." What holidays we had! The weather was beautiful; and the only theory in which my uncle indulged was, "Enjoy yourselves, my dears; run about, laugh, sing, and play all day." And we did so. Selina won all hearts by her beauty, grace, and artlessness; while Isabel and Georgy clung to each other as loving sisters, without a remembrance of their gusty childhood. We had pic-nics in the old forest; and though my aunt had some misgivings as to the propriety of the thing, yet did my uncle insist upon inviting all the young people, far and near, to join. a handsome man." "And why should he not be so?" "The girls-flirting-love, you know, and all that." 66 And in our youth, did not we flirt and love, and all that?" 66 Yes, certainly; but suppose it should end in anything serious." "That depends on what you call serious." "I am sorry you think marriage to be avoided; it is too late now, my dear, to repent.' Then could my aunt say no more in her |