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M

ARGARET, according to wont, communed in her own chamber, and was still; bewailing in secret her shortcomings; "I ought to shine, even were it only as a little glow-worm, with all the inestimable advantages I have had," she sighed: "it is my self-conceit that is ruffled, because Florinda thinks meanly of me; perhaps in return for the low opinion she entertains of me, I misjudge her; O would that I had power to win her love and confidence."

Entire selfishness characterised Florinda, artfully concealed by studied suavity of manner and pretended simplicity, and it

required a close and practised discrimina tion to detect the reality; there was a darker shade in her character, which Margaret shrank from contemplating, even in her inmost thoughts. Yet there were times when she felt as if the air was tainted by a baleful presence; and with bitter anguish she gazed round the very room where Mrs. Fairlie's spirit had passed away, where it might be, that Angels' wings had touched the harp; often that dear saint seemed present with them, for both Margaret and Mr. Fairlie fully realized the comfort of prayers for the dead. Margaret never named the dear departed to Flo rinda, she dared not,-the hallowed me

mories connected with Mrs. Fairlie were too sacred.

When Sir Clement Vaughan and Arthur paid their expected visit to Cherry-tree Hill, it was with startled surprise and unbounded admiration that the impetuous Arthur beheld the beautiful Florinda; she was not slow to perceive the sudden impression made by her peerless charms, and exerted herself to impress both brothers favourably.

When the party went out into the garden to look at a large Newfoundland dog belonging to Arthur, Florinda lingered behind the rest, and Arthur kept by her side; Sir Clement's groom held the dog, as Mr. Fairlie objected to the monster coming into the house.

"O yes, I dote on dogs and horses,” replied the young lady; "but since I came here," here she sighed deeply and looked down, "I have no pets of any kind, no companionship."

It was wonderful in how short a time Arthur Vaughan and Florinda Pryce became quite intimate, as if they were old acquaintances; all his tastes were her tastes; all his pursuits she sympathized in, as if she had lived in the country all her life, and not in a dingy manufacturing city! Florinda was indeed a clever actress; and she looked so inexpressibly lovely when her sweet voice trembled with emotion, and a tear stood on her fair cheek, as she reverted to what she termed her "past happy life," that Arthur's fate was sealed; for with him it was love at first sight, a love and admiration increasing every moment he remained in the society of this young and bewitching creature. Sir Clement regarded his brother and Miss Pryce with a scrutinizing glance; and when they all returned to the house, contrary to his usual custom, and shaking off the shyness and reserve habitual to him with strangers, he entered into conversation with her, listening attentively to the replies he elicited, and watching the expression of her countenance.

"Little ugly hunchback," said Miss Pryce to herself; "I see that he is trying to pierce me through and through with his dark flashing eyes; he looks monstrous clever, too, with that high white forehead; what a pity that the handsome Arthur is not the baronet."

Not for one moment did the wild idea enter the plotting mind of Miss Pryce that her lures could captivate Sir Clement; it was not his deformity, or gravity, that she cared for; had he been twice as ill-favoured by nature, and twiceas austere, she would not have been deterred from making the attempt; but Miss Pryce was sharp enough to see, that although the Baronet was courteous and kind, there was a certain degree of hauteur about him, which forbade any ap-proach to the sort of polite familiarity she had established with Arthur. It was curious to observe Bertha's movements, when she first beheld Sir Clement Vaughan; instead of her usual obstinate refusal to fraternize with strangers, she gradually drew near to him, and at length extended her hand with a vacant smile. He took it. tenderly, and whispered, "I am told that you are fond of pencil and paper, my dear child; keep this for my sake, and draw me a pretty picture with it," placing in poor Bertha's hands a splendid gold pencil-case; Mr. Lambert had interested him in the fate of the afflicted girl, and they had spoken of the possibility that might exist of turning her singular gift to better account.

Bertha seemed to gather a ray of meaning from the kind and tender intonation of the rich deep voice which so pleasantly addressed her, and she continued to remain quietly by Sir Clement's side during the remainder of his visit, gazing at the bright pencil-case, and turning it round in her hands with delight, and uttering a low, plaintive sound, which evinced pleasure and gratitude.

When the brothers were driving back to S. Osyth's, Arthur broke forth in raptures: "What exquisite loveliness-what grace-what refinement-she realizes allmy dreams of feminine perfection, she would add lustre to a regal diadem."

Sir Clement smiled, and quietly said, I suppose, Arthur, you are speaking of Miss Pryce; she is, indeed, a beautiful girl, and has self-possessed manners for -one so young; she is to be pitied poor thing, from all I have heard."

"Pitied ?" cried Arthur, quite angrily, "I don't think such an angelic being needs pity! I am dazzled, I am bewildered; she is so innocent, too, so simple and confiding, that I am in a state of utter bewilderment -on finding such a priceless treasure at Cherry-tree Hill."

Sir Clement was accustomed to Arthur's vehemence, but he looked very serious, and after a short silence, observed, "The highest recommendation, in my opinion, that Miss Pryce has, is the fact that she is the sister of such an excellent lady as Miss Fairlie, whose influence can be only productive of good; the father of Miss Pryce, I heard from Mr. Lambert, was a man of notorious infidel principles, who terminated his own existence."

With great warmth Arthur exclaimed, What has that to do with this beautiful creature? she is most truly devotional, from what she said to me; she told me about their ruined fortunes, and that her father died of a broken heart, wicked people giving out that he had taken poison; Miss Pryce is too young to be a hypocrite, and I am astonished, Clement, at the way you speak."

"She has made a conquest of you, my dear Arthur," said Sir Clement, goodhumouredly-"what will Lady Lucy Assheton say ?"

"It doesn't matter to me what Lady Lucy says," hastily returned Arthur, colouring; "I'm not a fellow to be dragged into matrimony whether I will or not."

"Matrimony is a very serions affair," rejoined Sir Clement, gravely-"it is an all-important matter, on which the happiness of your whole life depends; and you well know, my dear brother, that your happiness must ever be my first consideration."

"I know that, I know that," said Arthur, pressing his brother's arm affectionately; "and I wish in all things to follow your advice, my dear Clement; for

there is no one in the world whose advice I value so much as Mr. Lambert's and yours."

"Then you will not be offended, Arthur, if I venture to observe that you are too readily enthralled by a pretty face," rejoined Sir Clement.

"If you are alluding to Miss Pryce, I must tell you, Clement, that her pretty face, as you call it,-I call it transcendent beauty, is her least attraction; she is the most fascinating, most exquisite". Here Arthur's tirade was interrupted by their arrival at S. Osyth's.

Arthur now became a frequent visitor at Cherry-tree Hill, always finding an excuse for his visits; sometimes he brought bouquets of rare exotics for Margaret, more frequently even than to Florinda; sometimes he brought little presents to poor Bertha; he was evidently intent on seeing more of Florinda; his honest eyes kindled whenever she uttered noble sentiments; in fact, he was like a mouse, ready to be caught in a trap baited with a savoury morsel; he meant to be very cautious, but caution was not inherent in Arthur's unsuspicious and impetuous nature.

It would be difficult to analyse Margaret's feelings, when she beheld her twin-sister, hitherto so languid, and careless of pleasing others, metamorphosed into an amiable, cheerful young creature, who was ignorant of the world and its wiles; she prattled to Arthur Vaughan with the engaging simplicity of a child, and her remarkable beauty appeared to become more etherialized beneath his ardent gaze; Margaret had never witnessed theatrical representations, and she did not know that Florinda was a wonderful actress in the drama of real life. Miss Pryce had been educated in a school of dissimulation, and found excitement in sustaining an assumed character; the prize she aimed at was worth trying for, and no emotions of delicacy or compunction hindered her from the display of false colours; yet she was perfectly aware that Margaret looked on with surprise and grief: it was impossible for Margaret to be deceptive, hence a shade of coolness was observable in her