tache, his pale almost sallow features brightened up with conscious pleasure. Constance veiling her beautiful blue eyes in a downcast look, as if bent on criticising the picture, but in reality listening attentively to every word which fell from her companion, who was first changing from the heroic into a complimentary vein, or rather couching real sincerity under a tone of badinage. 1 66 It will be like, I think," said he, “ unfinished and imperfect as it now looks, when I have put into it a little more of the beauty of the original." "How can you, Mr. Basil-running on in that way, just as if I swallowed it all like every silly girl to whom you repeat the same nonsense." "How is it Miss Fairweather that I am fated to be misunderstood when I am most in earnest ? But. T'was ever thus from childhood's hour I've seen my fondest hopes decay. No sooner do I attempt to express the real feelings of my heart than I am accused of idly complimenting." Miss Fairweather did not interrupt, as if willing to see how far the conceit would carry him and how much of earnest there was in his words. "I have, indeed, great cause to say," continued Ernest 66 Oh that the desert were my dwelling place, Young ladies in general, I am sorry to say, have much to answer for. How often have we desired to cultivate their acquaintance, to soar with them beyond the dull region of common place nothings, to talk with them on metaphysics, or weep over the sorrows of that extremely doubtful martyr of modern history, Uncle Tom, to wander with them into the realms of Fairy Land, into green fields, by the sides of rivers and highland hills, or by the ocean wave; we would have studied conchology together by picking up shells on the shore, or geology by chipping rocks with little hammers; botany by picking wild flowers; or we would have sketched with them the streams flowing pleasantly up-hill, and smoke, despising the natural laws by going against the wind. Alas! that such delightful visions could not be realized; alas, that a few conventional ideas, and crozier and berlin wool should have come between us and happiness. Alas! that these hateful occupations under the title of work should be esteemed young ladies missions, should engross their hands and their eyes, and that the heart yearning for sympathy should be maddened by monotonous sounds which convey no meaning to any sane masculine mind, such as one, two, pearl three. Beyond the schottische and polka we have sought communion in vain, and when they sang they tantalised us with visions, which mamas and maiden aunts would never permit to be fulfilled; such as dancing over the highlands together." "Havn't you done talking nonsense yet, Mr. Basil, because you can talk so sensibly when you choose ?” "Go on by all means, bruise a broken reed, Miss Fairweather; affect to doubt my vehement protestations, make my solemn complaints food for mirth." “But dear me, I am forgetting how the time goes. Mrs. Grainger will give me such a scolding." "And when will you give me another sitting." Really, it is impossible for me to say, it all depends on Mrs. Grainger. She thinks it is only a slight sketch." "Mrs. Grainger appears to be my rock-ahead. If she would only call on my mother as I expected, and as in common propriety she ought, I might then call at your house and not trust altogether to the uncertainty of these sittings for seeing you. I should like so much to call." "Would you," said Miss Fairweather, catching eagerly at the words, "I feel sure-I am persuaded--I' mean I think Mrs. Grainger would be very happy to see you." If you think I might venture, I certainly will, and yet I tremble at the idea of facing that pillar of Free Church orthodoxy in her own castle." Oh, for goodness sake don't differ with her on religious topics. If you say anything against the Free Church she will hate you." "Never fear, on my head be it, if 1 offend her Calvinistic scruples." 66 And-and did you get my last letter ?" Yes, and I have got two sheets nearly covered in reply, there they lie on my desk. I was busy writing when you came." "Give them to me just as they are," said Miss Fairweather with a voice and look there was no resisting; so the letter was folded and secreted in Miss Fairweather's reticule before Mrs. Basil, who had left the room for an instant, could witness the manœuvre. Yet though, she lost this, she might have noticed Ernest accompanying Miss Fairweather to the outer door, |