of the edge of her bonnet, and obliging her to turn her head to yield a reluctant kiss. "I am sorry I have vexed you by my grumbling, which I did not begin in earnest. Come, Rosy, you and I won't quarrel, shall we?"

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"No, indeed, Matthew," replied she, entirely relenting.

"That's right,” he replied; "my mother is in bed, I dare say, so I shall not go in again. Good night."

The girls entered the garden. Both were glad to find themselves at home. Hannah had had some pleasure, but with considerable alloy. Huntley's conduct had distressed her; Lewis's absence had made her uneasy; added to this, was the consciousness that her mother was unwell at home, and the fear that Rosina might suffer from the change of weather. As for Rosina, her head ached tormentingly; she was tired, feverish, and half exulting, half unhappy. She felt elation and yet remorse at having refused Lewis; afraid of its coming to the knowledge of her mother and sister, and of their reproaches. Come what might, she thought she could never suffer too much for Hunt

ley, and yet his conduct this evening had been very equivocal, and filled her with a vague, uneasy sentiment of jealousy. Wearied by the noisy gaiety at Farmer Holland's, she longed for silence and darkness, that she might think over all that had happened and might happen.

Mrs. Wellford had sat up for her daughters; and had the satisfaction of telling them that her head-ache had left her. "Have you had a pleasant day, my dears," said she.

"Very pleasant, mamma," replied they both, in an accent of resignation.

"I have not been without visitors. Lewis has been here."

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Indeed," said Rosina, colouring with alarm.

Yes; he told me the reason of his quitting you so abruptly. Poor fellow! I was well disposed to pity him when I was suffering, myself. He was evidently feverish and far from well. I fear he caught cold that day at the Pleasance."

"I am sure I hope not," ejaculated Rosina as she lighted her bed candle.

"So he is going, to-morrow, it seems." "Going!" exclaimed Hannah.

"Yes; did not he mention it to either of

you?"

"Not to me."

"Nor to me."

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Well, that is strange. He really appeared quite moved when he wished me good b'ye; but I told him I took it for granted we should see him to-morrow before he started."

"Well, I am surprised at his leaving us so soon," said Hannah.

It was easy

Rosina could not say that she was. to gather from what had passed, that Lewis had not betrayed the reason of his quitting the gipsy party. Mrs. Wellford appeared wholly free from suspicion. After talking over the events of the day for a short time, they wished their mother good night. The sisters undressed in silence. At length, just as Rosina was preparing to lie down on her pillow, Hannah said earnestly,

"Dear Rosina, just tell me one thing. Did Lewis-"

"Oh! don't keep me awake by talking of Lewis," cried Rosina impatiently," my head aches to distraction, and I am dying for want of sleep."

Hannah was silenced, and after meditating on the little she knew of what had passed, yielded to slumbers as sweet and tranquil as her own disposition; while Rosina remained to toss on her pillow, and vainly seek refuge from her disquieting reflections.

CHAPTER II.

MEDITATIONS AND VEXATIONS.

WHEN Rosina awoke the next morning, she remembered having settled just before she had fallen asleep, that if her heart had not been pre-engaged by Mr. Huntley, it would have been impossible to have withheld it from Lewis Pennington. She had thought over every syllable that had been uttered, and had been forced to acquit Lewis of any unjustifiable bitterness of language; nay, she went back to the evening at Mrs. Good's, and thence to the whole of Lewis's stay at Summerfield, and she felt that however she might resent his charging her with coquetry, it was not undeserved. If she had been convinced from the first, that she could not return his affection, she ought to have avoided a thousand opportunities of which she had availed herself, of perplexing and teazing him. The fact was she had been vain of her power; she had de