"Elli

Captain Spencer of the dragoons, with whom he had lately become acquainted. nor," said he, "you must at least stop a little. That is Spencer coming up, and I cannot be so rude as to turn now. He is a very fine fellow; I shall introduce him." Charles, who was pretty well aware of Ellinor's foible, knew that if she were once fairly embarked in flirtation, he would hear no more of wet sands and roaring seas. His predic- $ tion was verified. Ellinor soon became so engrossed by Spencer, that she tripped over the late heavy sands, without appearing to feel the slightest inconvenience, until Ca- t therine, when the evening was closing in, proposed returning home.

"Ellinor," said Charles, as soon as they entered the house, you must not lose an instant in changing your shoes; you know the sands are very damp and heavy. I fear we must not walk there again, which I regret, as Catherine is so fond of the sea; but we must not sacrifice health to pleasure. I hope the roaring of the ocean did not pre

vent your hearing all the pretty things my friend Spencer said to you?"

"Oh!" said Ellinor, slightly blushing, - I only wished to return to oblige you. You seemed anxious to have a téte-a-téte with Catherine; and you know sisters are troublesome personages on these occasions. I make no doubt that you introduced Captain Spencer, merely to get rid of me."

This was said in mere badinage, and Ellinor was not aware that she had accidentally stumbled upon the truth; but Charles felt that she had touched a tender string. He had for some time suspected that his cousin was dear to him, although he had never dared to ask himself what were his hopes, his expectations; and so much was he taken by surprise, that his emotion certainly would have betrayed him, had Ellinor been at leisure to observe the effects which her thoughtless raillery produced. Happily, however, at that moment, she was standing before the mirror in the drawingroom, admiring the fine complexion which

the pure evening breeze had called into her cheek, and consequently too much occupied to pay any attention to her brother's unusual silence; and as to Catherine, she was so much accustomed to regard Charles as a brother, the idea of his being her lover never for one moment entered her imagination. Poor Charles, in the meanwhile, struggled to recover his self-possession, and tried to hide his uneasiness under a forced and excessive gaiety; but in the retirement of his chamber he had full leisure to meditate on his situation. Admitting that Catherine returned his attachment, of which he was by no means certain, he dreaded that Sir Thomas would not give his consent to their union; for although she was possessed of that indispensable requisite, an unblemished pedigree,-she was but moderately endowed with the gifts of fortune, and Sir Thomas had set his heart on his only son forming a splendid alliance. These reflections effectually banished sleep, and he arose in the morning languid and unrefreshed.

When the family met at breakfast, Lady Lennox, who seldom made use of her eyes on any occasion, electrified them all, by saying, "My dear Charles, are you well enough? Why, you are as pale as a ghost! Catherine," continued she, " did you ever see your cousin look so ill? One would think he had not closed his eyes the whole night. What can be the matter with you?"

"What nonsense is this, Lady Lennox?" said the baronet. "Must a man be ill, because he has less red in his cheek to-day than he had yesterday? Women always conjure up evils, which exist only in their own imaginations.-Speak, Charles, however, and tell us what horrific dream has driven your bloom away." But by the time Sir Thomas had finished speaking, the cheek of Charles had sufficiently recovered its natural hue.

"Perhaps you are in love," said Ellinor, with vivacity. "Ah! how I should like to see you over head and ears in that tormenting passion! How Catherine and I

should tease you! I do believe you have some of the symptoms."

Fortunately for Charles, Sir Thomas was now too busily engaged in plans how to spend the morning, and endeavouring to decide whether he should or should not call on Mr Kennedy, to pay much attention to what was passing around him. He was not yet aware of the rapid progress which his niece was making in the affections of his son, nor did he seem to imagine that there was any danger in throwing two amiable young persons together in constant and domestic intercourse; or, perhaps, we must allow Sir Thomas the benefit of an excuse, which we are too often obliged to extend to our elderly brotherhood:-so much time had elapsed since he was in love himself, he seemed actually to have forgotten that "such things

were."