French spirit of calculation, he thought would shew itself in une dot énorme and, a rare mixture of vanity, interest, and passion, he privately smiled on the entranced Annie, and yet set all the powers of his mind to work to win the heart of Ellen.

We have said that Mr. Lindsay suspected both his nieces of a preference for Julian. Ellen, if she shunned him when present, which for some time she had done, was ever his warmest champion when he was absent. A disparaging word even from Miss Tibby brought blood to her cheek, and eloquence to her tongue. Mr. Lindsay began to wish the London season and his nieces' trials over; for he remarked that Ellen grew somewhat pale, her manner abstracted, and her voice less joyous. What could it be from, if not from love of Julian? De Villeneuve evidently tried to please her, but Julian's father could never think that a Frenchman could have any chance by the side of his handsome son.

CHAPTER XII.

"Heaven gives our years of fading strength

Indemnifying fleetness;

And those of youth a seeming length,
Proportioned to their sweetness."

CAMPBELL.

It was the last evening they were to pass at Brighton. The Count De Villeneuve was of the party; and, in the midst of gay projects for the full enjoyment of the London season, all felt some regret at leaving a place where they had been so happy. For once, an evening passed without Rollin; for Augusta had conveyed the book away to be packed up; so Mr. Grunter had nothing to do but to mend pens (which he did almost unconsciously), and to correct Annie.

"But you will soon join us in London,"

said Julian to Alphonse, who had been expressing a most poetical and romantic regret at their approaching departure, in language which was aimed at Ellen's heart, but sunk only into poor Annie's. "My dear fellow, why should we not be equally happy there?"

"Past happiness is the only happiness we are sure of. I have no faith in the future. The solitary joy of my life, that I have tasted among you dear friends, was born here; and, like a child pining for its native air, so will that one flower of my heart pine for these breezes, and this sweet, quiet fireside."

"The atmosphere of the heart is made by the kindness and affection of those around us," said Augusta, "and that will surround you in London as it has done here."

"I'm sure I quite agree with the count,' said Miss Tibby. "The feelings depend very much on the climate; it's not so many years since I left Edinbro', but, I can truly say, I never feel as I did there, nor there, as I did some few years before, in the Highlands, when I was jist on a visit at the Brae, when I

used to tak a morning walk wi' Donald, the air was warmer and kindlier than I ever felt it; and, I'm sure, the warm hearts of auld Scotland, and the clear heads......"

"Are not owing to the Scotch air, or the Scotch mists," said Julian, laughing.

66

Mists, kinsman!" replied Miss Tibby; "talk o' mists, indeed! I little knew what mists war till I left Scotland. Why, here I often canna see for the mists, and wi' spectacles to help me, too, and there I could see to read the smallest prent, finest linen by the threads. wi' Donald I could see the mountains mony miles awa' clearer than I can see your gimcrack chain-pier from this window. Mists indeed, kinsman !"

and mark the

In those walks

"But, Miss Tibby, you forget you're not so young as you were then."

"You forget yourself, cousin, to remember a lady of her age-that does na credit to your foreign breeding; and I only wish you'd take pattern by the count. A very gude evening, and better manners to you!"

And Miss Tibby retired in dignified disdain.

Julian, who had a very kind heart, followed her to make his peace.

"Pray, miss," said Grunter to Annie, "do you know that verb? You seem to be idling your time, miss."

"Know it ?-no, I never will know it, unless you shall teach it me, Mr. Grunter."

"I shall, and you will. Miss Annie, you deserve-however, as you're a young ladymiss, I won't say what you deserve; but I've flogged many a boy for that fault; what verb is it?"

"An active verb," said Annie, sulkily, half crying, "like you; you're active eno' in teazing my heart out; I canna larn it, and I wunna try any more.'

"If I'm like an active verb, miss, as you say, I govern the objective. And now I insist on your going into that room, and making no more objections, until you know know your lesson." And Grunter took up a pen, and instinctively mended it, quite unaware of what he was