"But I am greatly afraid I have been too warm, too

severe ?"

"No! But, if you think so, say something conciliatory to the young man in explanation."

"Yes, I have already thought of doing so," rejoined Selma.

An elderly gentlemen, who had distinguished himself during the game by his amusing contrivances and vivacity, came, puffing with his exertion, and seated himself beside us, saying gaily:

"It is very pleasant to be cheerfully excited. When one grows old and lethargic, and every thing around is still, one is often apt to feel so flat and dead that it makes one think, 'It's now all over with us poor fellows, yes, all over!' But when by the way one happens to be roused and exhilarated by any thing, why then one seems to have some evidence that one's end is not quite so near. Yes, then much that is dormant in us awakens and our drooping spirits revive, so that we are pleasantly surprised and constrained to think: 'Ah, how astonishing that you can yet be so young and lively!'"

"To this I wisely remarked, that it was an additional proof that the spirit maintains the entire vigour of its essential existence, though in its evening twilight, which we term "old age," it slumbers a while.

The old man smiled, and again observed:

"How pretty she is! Her very appearance, and the opening of her lips, are enough to charm even an old man's heart like mine!"

As these words seemed to me altogether inappropriate to my remark, I gazed at the gentleman with amazement, and perceived that his eyes were directed

on Selma, with a radiant expression of delight, who, in order to redeem a forfeit, had been adjudged "to stand as a statue," and who performed her task in a very agreeable manner. While I, with my neighbours, were engaged in quietly contemplating her, I heard St. Orme's voice near me. He had, in his wonted soft, almost stealthy manner, seated himself beside me, while, with a sad expression, quite unusual with him, he said:

"I suppose you have some recollection of my lamented wife, now in heaven, Virginia?"

"Yes," replied I; "she was one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen."

"Does it not appear to you," continued he, "that Selma bears some resemblance to her-less in features than in expression and general demeanour: for instance, in the blending of pride and amiableness, in the union of the Princess and the Sylphide, and in that which is, in the fullest sense of the term, maiden-like behaviour. And her voice! It frequently recalls to my mind her whose lips are closed for ever!"

Such words from St. Orme! I looked at him with amazement, but he appeared to have lost sight of me, and all around him, quietly absorbed in sorrowful recollections.

Why did I, from the very first, set my face against St. Orme? Why have I not rather sought out his good qualities? From this hour his whole being appeared to me ennobled.

Were men always what they are in their best moments, we should have a heaven of beauty and goodness upon earth. But- -!

The redeeming of the forfeits continued, amid singing and dancing, till supper.

After this I saw Selma gently directing her course towards the window at which Krusenberg was standing. Shortly afterwards she came to me, and softly whispered:

"I have made peace with Krusenberg!"

"And what did you say to him?"

"I begged him to forgive my warmth towards him, but told him at the same time what a painful impression he had made on me, and-in a word, I was friendly and candid with him.”

"Well, and what did he say?"

"He-why, what do you suppose?

He thanked me and acknowledged his error, his thoughtlessness; nay, he imputed so many faults to himself that I grew quite uneasy. But, Sophia! how much of good do we discover in people."

66

As

Yes, to be sure; is not that the very doctrine I am continually preaching? But we must also carefully study and seize every opportunity to call it forth. we holloa into the wood so does the echo respond to it!"

And such were the "faits et gestes" on this day, the memorandum of which I cannot, however, conclude without adverting to the "mention honourable" which I received from my stepmother at the close of the same, for my good behaviour, appearance, and toilet. The latter part of this panegyric I lost in the following CLAIR-OBSCURE.

"And in that dress with your beautiful fair arms and the pearls in your brown hair, and all that—you

did not look more than twenty-and so distinguished! I can assure you that more than one-hum, hum, hum!"

I.-(Abashed and half-inquisitive to hear more) "Ah, my sweet mother!"

My Stepmother.-Hem, hem! I shall not say any thing until-hem, hem, hem!"

December 28th.

FRAGMENT OF A DIALOGUE.

"But tell me, Selma, what am 1 to argue from Flora's deportment toward Lennartson and St. Orme? She doubtless loves the former, and is betrothed to him, and yet the latter exercises an extraordinary influence over her! And she-how odd and strange her behaviour towards him! At times she appears excessively complacent, and at others distant; at times almost virulent, and again at others quite tender, even humble; and then again so proud-what, indeed, can be the ground of all this?"

Selma (with a sort of anxiety)—" Ah, question me not! I neither know nor understand the connection of all these things; but this much I do know, that Flora is quite altered since St. Orme's arrival. She has always been of an odd temper, and her lively imagination always made her fly from one subject to another; but she was so agreeable, so entertaining and amiable withal!"

I." How long has Flora been betrothed to Lennartson?"

"A little more than a year-the ceremony took

place at the death-bed of her mother; but I do not know why their betrothment has not been declared since. The old General Lennartson was visited about the same time with a paralytic stroke; and his son travelled with him abroad for the restoration of his health. When Lennartson returned alone a few months ago, St. Orme was then already there, and Flora-altered. But she will not talk about it, nor hear it spoken of; and certainly the connection at present subsisting between them must soon undergo a change again-I think it so unnatural. I hope in the new year's sun, and his power. Do you see how 'Matilde' is already blushing between 'King Hezekiah' and 'Lord Welington;' and here' King Ahasuerus' is beginning to open his light-blue eyes! and certainly it must be a beautiful sight to see all these in full bloom!"

Thus my young sister sought to evade a subject so painful to her-thus she endeavoured to conceal dark images with bright ones; but the dark ones must not be overlooked, but be penetrated, and if possible, transillumined. Methinks my eyes are pretty well opened

now.

January 1st, 18—

A nosegay of fresh flowers and a cordial shake of the hand from the Viking, is the happy impression I have retained from the forenoon visits.

In the Evening.

Dressed ready for the "Exchange Ball," in black satin trimmed with lace, pearls in my hair and round my neck and arms. Hush, dear Selma! you must not