Ianthe.

much I admire her , and Avill feel with mo , hoAV mnch she merits my admiration . I admit that our acquaintance has been short , shorter than perhaps might well be , than I could wish , or you would approve of , but it has been really a case of love at first sight ; so say the word , clear lady , and you will make two people very happy . " But Miss Dalton spoke not . For the truth isshe was thinking of a little

, episode which had occurred only eight months before , when Ianthe had met a Lieutentant Monckton , R . N ., and who was now in H . M . S . " Isis , " somewhere on the coast of China , and who , introduced to her by Colonel Chartley , had , for a time , until duty summoned him away , " nolens volens , " been a daily visitor , ancl a devoted admirer , even , perhaps , somewhat more , of Ianthe . Indeed it was usually understood that they were engaged , ancl she certainly wore a little

gold anchor as a hreloque , set in turquoises ! But as Ianthe had said nothing to her aunt , her aunt had said nothing to her ; hut it was this remembrance of the past , and the fear of Ianthe ' s impulsive and changeable nature , which startled that clear and thoughtful mind , as if presaging future unhappiness ancl misery to all . Ianthe probably—perhaps Lieutenant Monckton himself—really thought no more about those pleasant if rather susceptible hours . Like the poet , they treated that little momentary halucination as a past ancl pleasant dream of their lives , ancl felt inclined to

say , Our lives ivere like most other lives , A little glow , a little shiver , A rosebud , ancl a pair of gloves , Ancl " Hy-not-yet" upon the river ; Some jealousy of some-one ' s heir , Some hopes of dying broken-hearted ,-A miniature , a lock of hair ,

The usual vows—and then ive parted . We parted ; months and years rolled by ; We met again four summers after . Our parting was all sob and sigh , Our meeting was all mirth and laughter ; For in my heart's most secret cell , There had been many other lodgers , Aud she was not the ball-room belle , But only—Mrs . Something Rogers .

Miss Dalton probably had never heard of this admirable poet , or , if she had , she did not agree with his views of the matter , which I confess are somewhat unsentimental and slightly cynical , if at the bottom , after all , replete with common sense . So after an awkward pause ancl silence she said very gracefull y , " Mr . Compton , I do not in the least object to your proposal for Ianthe ' s hand , which , howeverI cannot formally decide uponbut must refer to her two trustees

, , , though I anticipate no objection from them whatever . But I cannot help saying that you and Ianthe have known each other a very short time , and marriage , in my opinion , " said the good old dame , ancl here too her voice faltered , " is so serious a thing ; it maybe productive of so much happiness or misery , lasting happiness or misery , Mr . Compton , that I could have wished you had both known each other intimately a little longer . "

Ancl here the kind aunt paused for breath , ancl from her feelings , which , as someone as has said , " were too heavy for her . " "Ah ! Miss Dalton , " replied that enthusiastic lover , "there is no fear for Ianthe and myself ; we have the same tastes , the same sympathies , the same ideas of all things , and there is nothing in which we disagree . Do not delay our happiness . " " I hope it may all turn out as you say , " Miss Dalton once more said , " but I still wish you had known each other a little longer ! "