surely heard of this Willoughby beforeOh, I recollect, it was you, Ellinor, who were raving about him, from having heard Maria-"

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Hush," said Catherine, "you must not tell tales!"

"Tales!" repeated Charles; "why, I think when a young lady is very unguarded in her expressions of admiration of a gentleman, she cannot be very desirous of having them kept a secret. Indeed I should rather suspect that she wishes it to reach the gentleman's ears, and in my opinion Captain Spencer cannot do Willoughby a greater favour than to repeat to him all the pretty things she said."

"I hope," said Ellinor, colouring, "that Captain Spencer will do no such thing; it was all in jest, and certainly never intended to be taken seriously."

Catherine, who observed the increasing gravity of Spencer while Ellinor was making such particular inquiries about Major Willoughby, to turn his thoughts into a

new channel, proposed music, saying, "Ellinor, do let Captain Spencer hear that new duet we got the other day; I wish to have his opinion of it."

But Ellinor, displeased with the coldness of Spencer, and piqued that he also did not urge her compliance, refused either to play or sing; and becoming more sullen, as she observed that Spencer did not seem disposed to devote as usual all his attentions to her, but for Catherine and Charles silence would have been the order of the evening. "Are we to have no music?" said Charles to Catherine.

"I am sorry," she replied, "that Ellinor will neither play nor sing."

"Well, but though she won't, that need not prevent you. Come," he continued, "take your harp and play something."

"Certainly," said Catherine, rising, "I shall play if you wish it; but really Ellinor plays so much better, that I seldom think of touching the harp when she is present; but if it will give you the least pleasure, I shall do my best."

Catherine," said Charles, half in earnest, half in jest, "I wish both Ellinor and her brother resembled you; but come begin and give me my favourite air."

No sooner did Ellinor see Catherine seated at the instrument, than she regretted having refused to play; not that she cared about obliging them, but that they should have music, and without her, was insupportably provoking. To add to her chagrin, she could not but allow that Catherine appeared to great advantage while seated at the harp; and, though beautiful herself, she could not contemplate without envy, her cousin's lovely profile, graceful figure, and exquisitely-turned hands and arms. Catherine's most powerful charm, however, lay in the benignant expression of her intelligent countenance, which, without the insipidity that procures for so many the appellation of " a sweet woman," shed an air of mild complacency over her whole person and rendered her infinitely attractive. Bu the ill-humour of Ellinor was soon increa

sel ten-fold, by the desertion of Spencer, ho, rising from the seat he occupied beside er, crossed the room and placed himself behind Catherine's chair; and Sir Thomas, ho had been yawning over a newspaper for the last half-hour, chose this inauspicious moment to ask her to take a hit at backgammon with him.

"I hate backgammon," said Ellinor, in a petulant tone, "'tis an abominably noisy game, and always gives me a headach; but, added she, with a view of disturbing the trio at the harp, perhaps Catherine may play, I know she does not dislike it."

“No, no," said Sir Thomas, "I will not Live Catherine disturbed, though I know he would be more obliging than refuse." But in direct defiance of this prohibition, Elnor cried out," Catherine, papa wants you to take a hit at backgammon with him, do finish your squalling and come here— t play with him, for I have got a head

By no means," exclaimed Sir Thomas,

"I beg, Catherine, you will give us a little more music; I assure you I am quite indifferent about playing, and indeed it is so late 'tis hardly worth while to begin."

On hearing this well-bred hint, Spencer made his bows and departed; while Ellinor in high indignation retired to her apartment, there to brood over the provoking occurrences of this disagreeable evening.