"Cissy," said James, sternly: "You are a great deal too flippant. I beg that you will be serious, for once, and listen to me. Gabrielle is a mere child in experience of the world; but you are-or should be very different."

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'Quite an old stager, in fact," said Cissy.

And," pursued James, looking unutterable things, "you should know better than to lay her open to the unpleasantness which is sure, sooner or later, to result from these constant têtes-à-têtes with Godfrey. You are perfectly aware of what will be said

"I thought," observed Cissy, reflectively, her eyes fixed upon the opposite wall-"I thought philosophers never troubled themselves about what was said ?”

"Gabrielle, at least," said James biting his lip, "is no philosopher. She is a girl; and a peculiarly sensitive girl. Any idiotic reports of-of that kind, would trouble her

far more than they would deserve. And such reports are certain to arise-quite certain-if this go on. However, Cissy, I have told you my mind: so now you know—" "I knew it long ago," said Cissy.

And," continued James, "I must add, that I never suspected you of such an entire want of feeling. However, that's no con

"Well put," said Cissy.

"and after all, I believe, the wisest plan will be to speak to Olivia-——”

"Or perhaps to Gabrielle herself?" suggested Cissy.

James reddened, and turned to Miss Chamberlain whom he did not again desert until, at the dressing-bell, everyone departed, his or her several way: everyone save himself. He remained; leaning against the billiard-table, and hacking with a penknife at a small piece of wood; which he had

promised his little nephew, Johnny Peers, to convert into a boat.

"It is as I thought," he muttered: "Experience confirms my opinion: that to be in love, implies to be a fool, or worse than a fool. In what single respect have I, this afternoon, shewn myself superior to any vapid school-girl, with her head crammed full of petty jealousies and pettier spites? My peace of mind is at the mercy of the most trivial objects. I am no better than Annie's baby there-which is for ever squalling, confound it!"-as the cries incidental to the transit from drawing-room to nursery, met his ear. He flung away the wood, pocketted his knife; and, angry with all the world-himself chiefly--relieved his mind by rushing upstairs, three steps at a time, on his way to prepare for dinner.

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CHAPTER XIII.

Haste thee, Nymph, and bring with thee

Jest, and youthful jollity.

Come, and trip it as you go

On the light fantastic toe.

JOHN MILTON.

THREE hours later, a considerable pro

THRE

portion of the beauty, rank, and wealth of the West Riding, was gathered together at Farnley. The doors which divided the ball-room from the saloon, were thrown open, producing the effect of one magnificent apartment: brilliantly lighted, and elaborately decorated with evergreens and flowers. An excellent band had been procured from York; fair forms and fairer

faces, set off by robes that might have graced Titania's court, floated to and fro: it was a world of music, of delicious perfume, of light, of beauty.

In early youth, such scenes seem to expand the soul; it spreads its wings and rejoices, as a butterfly in the sunshine. Few, perhaps, in the present assembly, had not already lived, or danced, away, this first unsullied gladness. But some-as, let us hope, in every assembly-had not: three or four very young girls, fresh from the schoolroom; three or four older ones, whom circumstances had prevented from mixing much in the gay world; and, it might be, one or two on whom Nature had bestowed the blessed gift of eternal youth-who still, despite their fading complexion, their sprinkling of gray hairs, saw "all things bright, with their own magic smile "-just as when they first came out, perhaps thirty years ago.