over the substance of all he had been saying before.

"If Lewis had taken leave of Mrs. Good," said Mrs. Wellford, "it would be more than he has done to us."

"Well, it is a queer business altogether, mother. I think that Rosina, here, could tell us something about it."

"I, Matthew? Pray do not talk such nonsense," cried she, colouring deeply, and seeking, she did not exactly know what, in her work basket.

"I do think so, though, Rosina.”
"You think wrong."

66

Come, now, Rosy, be candid."

Her mother's eyes were fixed on her, and Matthew's arm was round her waist.

"Pray, Matthew, leave me alone," said she, with eyes full of tears, "I cannot bear it." And disengaging herself from him, she left the room. "What do you think now, mother?" said Mat

thew.

"I hardly know what to think," said Mrs. Wellford, uneasily. "You had better not renew the subject when she returns; perhaps she will speak

candidly to me, if we let her take her own time. Possibly she may have been disappointed in the extent of Lewis's affection. She could hardly expect him to speak openly yet. He may have been afraid of going too far without his father's consent, and resolved to break all off till that was secured. His head-ache yesterday, was very likely brought on by mental uneasiness."

Matthew scrupulously abstained from mentioning Lewis again. Rosina, however, throughout the evening, dreaded the renewal of the subject, and felt fidgetty whenever her mother's eyes were upon her. How very pleasant it is to have had an offer!

CHAPTER III.

VIOLETS.

A SECOND little rose-coloured note from Miss Pakenham, reminded Rosina of her promised visit, and claimed her as Mrs. Shivers's guest on the following Friday. Engrossed as Rosina's mind was by Huntley, his image had now to hold divided empire with lawns, jaconets, and book-muslins, which rendered her heart not unlike that dissected by the Spectator.

One sitting more was to complete her portrait. On the Saturday of this busy week, Mr. Huntley called at the cottage rather later than was his wont, with a roll of music in his hand, which, after paying his compliments to the ladies, he proceeded to unfold.

"Here are a few songs," said he to Rosina, "which I believe you have never tried-I desired my sister to rummage them out of some old port

VOL. II.

D

folios of mine and to send them down, in hopes they might afford you a little amusement."

"How very kind!" said Rosina, colouring, and looking towards her mother. Then hastily glancing over the songs,-"Rossini, Cimarosa, Carafa,-how very charming!-A sister, have you, Mr. Huntley? You never mentioned her, before —is she young?"

"Yes,-about Miss Wellford's age, I should suppose."

"And her name-"

"Emmeline."

"Emmeline! what a beautiful name! Is she very pretty ?"

"Oh, well enough," said Huntley, carelessly. Come, will you try this duett, 'Oh, notte soave?' It is very beautiful."

"Will you explain the words to me first, Mr. Huntley? I do not like singing what I do not understand-it is so difficult to give the right expression."

Huntley took up the songs, one after another, and literally translated them. He even wrote down the English words under the Italian with his pencil. "It is a pity you do not study Italian,"

said he. "It is the sweetest and most feminine language in the world. Besides, Italy boasts so many fine poets, whom you can only imperfectly relish through the medium of translations."

"Oh! I should like to understand it extremely, but I have neither teacher nor books."

"I principally taught myself," said Huntley, "and if they will be of any service to you or your sister, I shall have pleasure in sending for my Italian books from town."

"I think," said Mrs. Wellford, "Rosina will hardly have leisure or perseverance"

"You

Surely, I am not wanting in perseverance ?" interrupted Rosina, with a mortified air. know, mamma, Miss Pakenham reads Italian; and perhaps, when I am at the Pleasance, she will give me a little instruction.

another opportunity."

I may not have such

"Are you going from home?" cried Huntley. "Yes; I am going to Mrs. Shivers's on Friday." Huntley's eyes flashed with a momentary expression which was quite inexplicable to Rosina. She tried to fancy it was only surprise, and yet it had seemed like exultation.

"Well, I must try to get on with your sister's