"Aunt Letty, I assure you I have nothing on my mind. I have said so so often!"

"Yes, my dear; and I have answered as often that I am sure you have; so we shall never agree upon that point. But, however, I can't help it. If you won't confide in me, you won't."

Helen remained up half the night, gazing from her small latticed window upon the calm clear sky, with its myriads of stars, and longing to know whether his eyes were fixed on the same tranquil heavens ! It was not till past three, that she threw herself into her dear little bed, which she was to occupy no more; and

"Sleep, that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care ;
The death of each day's life; sore labour's bath;
Balm of hurt minds! great nature's second nurse,
Chief nourisher of life's feast,"

as Shakspeare calls it, visited her eyelids.

The next morning, the whole house was in confusion. Bone was all anxiety about the sandwiches, and the buns, and sweet cakes; and

the whole of the small establishment was in a bustle. Aunt Letty actually shed tears, when she wished her niece good bye; and, for once, forgetting her rheumatism and toothach, came out to the porch without her bonnet, to see her off. The servants got into their seats, and enveloped themselves in coats and cloaks to keep them from the cold; and every thing, even the sandwiches, being "all right," the Countess of Montgomery rolled off in her coronetted coach, with all the dash, and splash, and clatter, postboys do so love to make with four horses, whilst she carried away with her as heavy a heart as she had brought to that peaceful abode. The next day the following paragraph appeared in the newspaper, for the benefit of those interested in fashionable informa

tion:

"We regret extremely to state that the young and beautiful Countess of Montgomery, who has, for several weeks back, been enlivening the neighbourhood of Cheltenham with her

presence, took her departure yesterday for Norburn Park, the magnificent residence of the Arnon family, in-shire. She has been staying at Ashton with a very near relation, and our town has been frequently honoured with her visits, during her stay. We grieve to learn that her ladyship is at present in indifferent health, owing, we are told, to her constant and unwearied attendance upon her noble husband, during a very severe illness, some months ago. His lordship has been lately entertaining a distinguished party of the haut-ton, at Norburn."

"So my lady is gone then?" said Mrs. Smithson to her husband, when she read this paragraph. "Dear me! I wish I had known it! I meant to have called upon her again, before she went, and taken her that receipt for chilblains, that did Bobby so much good!"

"Never mind, my dear," said Mr. Smithson, who, in spite of his wife's continual re

marks upon what she was reading, and the accumulated noise of three of his "fine family" who were playing about in the room, was striving to get his sermon for next Sunday finished. "Never mind! I dare say she'll do without it!"

Why, Mr. S. you quite forget what an admirable receipt it was! I assure you, Bobby-"

Here one of the young fry set up a tremendous roar! "Ma! Jane's pinched my ear! Oh, law !"

"Jane, my dear," cried the mother, "how could you do so, you naughty child?"

"'Cause she won't let me look at myself in the glass, ma! and I want to!"

"Let your sister look in the glass, then, if she likes, Phoebe. I'm surprised at you both, fighting and quarrelling in that way! As I was saying, Mr. S., Bobby's chilblains—” Another great roar !

"My dear, do keep those children quiet!"

exclaimed poor Mr. Smithson, nearly at his

wit's end.

Now, children, if you can't be quiet, I shall send you all to bed-I shall.”

Here a chorus of voices was set up at once. "Ma! he says he won't!" "I can't make her!" "You hurt me; oh law !" "You're such a nasty, tiresome thing!" &c. &c. &c.

And there was no peace till their mother, taking them each by the arm, pushed them out of the room, and turned the key upon them, leaving them to kick, cuff, roar, and squabble at their leisure in the passage; after which, she returned to her husband, and began again upon the subject of Bobby's chilblains.

Not long after, Mrs. Gardner's quiet drawing-room was invaded by Mrs. Smithson and a number of her young hottentots-one of whom was allowed, as a reward for having suf