ERNES-T LINWOOD. 30I



   " I thought Mr. Regulus had gone to see you., but I did not
know that he would be fortunate enough to bring you back with
him. He discovered last winter, I have no doubt, what a pleas-
ant travelling companion you were."
   "Oh, Gabriella, I could tell you something so strange, so
funny," - and here she burst into one of her old ringing
laughs, that seemed perfectly uncontrollable.
  "I think I can guess what it is," I said, assisting her at her
toilet, which was never an elaborate business with her. " You
and Mr. Regulus are very good friends, perhaps betrothed
lovers. Is that so very strange "
  "Wh'o told you  " she exclaimed, turning quickly round, her
cheeks crimsoned and her eyes sparkling most luminously,-
"who told you such nonsense"
  "It does not require any supernatural knowledge to know
this," I answered. "I anticipated it when you were in New
York, and most sincerely do I congratulate you on the posses-
sion of so excellent and noble a heart. Prize it, dear Mar-
garet, and make yourself worthy of all it can, of all it will
impart, to ennoble and exalt your own."
  "Ahl! I fear I never shall be worthy of it," she cried, giving
me an enthusiastic embrace, and turning aside her head to hide
a starting tear; "but I do prize it, Gabriella, beyond all
words."
  "Ah, you little gypsy!" she exclaimed, suddenly resuming
her old wild manner, " why did you not prize it yourself  He
has told me all about the romantic scenes of the academy, - he
says you transformed him from a rough boor into a feeling,
tender-hearted man, - that you stole into his very inmost being,
like the breath of heaven, and made the barren wilderness
blossom like the rose. Ah ! you ought to hear how beautifully
he talks of you. But I am rot jealous of you."
  "Heaven forbid! " I involuntarily cried.
  "You may well say that," said she, looking earnestly in my
face; "you may well say tat, darling. But where is Ernest
I ha-e not seen him yet."



3 CO