After All .

perhaps with more melancholy . Singular infatuation , yet none the less true : the girl seemed to act by an involuntary impulse . She was his senior , too , and had been engaged to many another ; rich suitors she had also , but , seeing him , she had given up all in her admiration of him . The clanger was all the greater and unfortunate because she saw and knew the influence she had over himthough he resisted it so persistently ,

, and she persevered in hope , but with growing sadness , paradoxical as it may seem . But human hearts are not constructed on simple lines , and we cannot run ancl read the mystic problems they present on every side . How few of us understand even the workings of our own hearts ! It pained Humberton to see the humiliation of this lovely girl , in her almost unwomanlrevelation of her love for himwhichthough not told in

y , , words , was too palpably betrayed by her actions to be misunderstood ; and he regretted it more because he felt that she was really a most estimable creature , ancl had there not been an Olivia Phane in the world , he could have returned the love so passionately smouldering in her bosom for him . Yet , how totally dissimilar ivas Violet Cumberland in many essential features both of character and physique from his own loved Olivia ; but the impression made upon his

constant heart by the latter was strong , lasting , and ineffaceable , as ever . Yes , there was a quiet subtlety about Olivia much more winning to his nature . Why could not Fate have decreed that she should be thus haunting him in person , instead of her being far removed from him ? He did not even know if she was constant to him ! He had only the negative proof of her being still unmarried . Poor Arthur !

Notwithstanding all Humberton ' s complicated troubles , he still strove to wear a happy gaiety foreign to his feelings , and succeeded in deceiving some of his friends , partially even Miss Cumberland . Her brother Victor was much younger than Violet , and therefore had little control or influence over her actions . Violet Cumberland was not " smiling at grief , " like Shakespeare ' s Viola , but the " melancholy god " so possessed her that we must

give pity To her , whose state is such , that cannot choose Bat lend and give where she is sure to lose . But music to her gave the very echo to the seat Where Love is throned . The purerichsilvery notes of her delihtful voice thrilled through Arthur ' s

, , g frame , telling him of her unfortunate love . Thus did Arthur live his life in the frequent society of Miss Cumberland , who never failed to attend the musical meetings , and away from his own darling . He sometimes tried to forget everything in his passion for music , but he never succeeded . These amateurs , some thirteen in number , performed several concerts and dramatic representations in publicand were hihly

ap-, g preciated and encouraged . Professor Cribton belonged to the Societ y , though few of the members liked him . He was too uncouth ancl vulgar , ancl his playing ( on any of the many instruments of which he professed a knowledge ) was not finished and refined . About six months after the formation of the Society , Arthur ' s eyes were opened to Cribton ' s real character through one who had . known him before .

His whole plan of perfidy was laid bare ; ancl , much as Arthur would have liked to have controverted it , he could not but believe the abundant evidence of the man ' s duplicity , aud his anger and contempt were gradually roused . It -took a long time for him to find out the real villain he was , and verr reluctantl y did he withdraw his friendshi p from one he had known so long- and , as be had thought , so intimately . He was vexed , too , at his own short-si ghtedness , though he was not alone in that respect . Arthur had been systematically flat-