the garden, with the true romantic spirit of a lover, to regale my eyes with a sight of the paths where your feet trod, and the flowers that bloomed beneath your eye, what were my transports to behold you here yourself, in a solitude offering an opportunity for an interview too inviting to withstand; and here I am!" "You have entered, Sir, like a robber," said Justina, "and you may depart the same way as soon as you please; for I go instantly into the house." "Do not leave me. I beseech you, Miss Melross, let me only speak a word to you. Speak then, Sir! with as much despatch as possible." "I have only," said he, “returned to A― this very day, and I have heard news the most important." "What, Sir "That Mr. Arlington is to be married to Miss Augusta." "Well, Sir, what then ?" 66 Why! then, since I must speak all I have to say in a breath-with all due humility, is there not one objection removed to my success with yourself?" "Not one, Sir," replied the offended Justina; such an event would rather increase my objections." "How! pray Madam ?" By raising my pretensions, Sir; for if one sister marries a man so honourable, and of such distinguished worth, the other of course could never be satisfied with one so vastly his inferior."— "But you don't consider, Madam," cried Elmore, who was enraged at her speech, "that your sister is a thousand times more 66 beautiful than you are, as well as more amiable; you are no more to compare to her than yon pale moon is to the sun in its meridian." "The moon I think is sufficiently bright," said Justina, smiling."However, I am not the least ambitious of being thought either beautiful or amiable, by one whose admiration is as fitful and mutable as the pale orb you alluded to-and so I give you back your simile.' "Good night, Miss Melross!" said Elmore."Should I ever, Madam, renew the subject of this night, I hope you will treat me with all the scorn and contempt I shall deserve; that is, with as much as you have done at present"-saying this, he indignantly sprang over the fence, and Justina slowly and mournfully pursued her way into the house. CHAPTER IX. "I said to Friendship's menac'd blow, ANON. DURING Justina's absence from her room, her aunt and sister had been conversing together respecting her, after they had withdrawn to their own chamber. The vivid recollection of her virtues; her disinterestedness and affection for them, inclined them to think that they suspected her wrongfully. She was going to leave them too the next day, and they felt as if they could not sleep without parting as friends with her for the night. With the intention of treating her kindly, they both entered her room, where they found the candle burning, and herself absent. They both went to the window, and saw by the light of the moon, through the intervals of the trees, that she was walking with a gentleman, in earnest conversation; her form, by moonlight, as by daylight, could not be mistaken; and the person of the other, at whatever distance, was by Augusta impossible not to be recognized. All their indignation revived with added strength. Justina immediately afterward 8 VOL. I. came in :-they heard her close the hall door with the gentlest noise imaginable, and directly appeared before them trembling, like a culprit, for the countenance of her aunt terrified her. She saluted her with the most cutting sarcasms, accused her of base arts and treachery in winning the affections of Elmore from her sister, and then using all her influence to oblige Augusta to marry Arlington, entirely to answer her own selfish ends, regardless of the happiness of her sister. Justina waited until the storm was somewhat spent, and then with the tone of conscious innocence replied, "It is at least some satisfaction to know of what I am accused; I did persuade my sister, perhaps, more than was right, to favour Mr. Arlington; for, notwithstanding he has told you that he despises me, I think highly of him. Mr. Elmore I thought did not deserve her, and I told her so. My judgment may have erred as to what would constitute her happiness, still her happiness was the motive that guided me. I have not had one selfish view throughout, except as my happiness is connected with my sister's." "And this moonlight interview with your Romeo, was also occasioned by your wish to promote the happiness of your sister, was it ?" My meeting with 66 Mr. Elmore was accidental, and terminated very speedily." "I suppose it appeared short to you; but I believe nothing you say -you well know how to gloss over every thing that appears wrong; you are celebrated for your persuasive manners; and my artless American child, with all her superior natural attractions, is not sufficiently educated to cope with a polished Londonbred lady." Justina was overpowered by the bitterness of her aunt's reproaches; she replied with an agitated voice, "It matters but little where I was educated, since the sole instructer I ever had was not capable of teaching me treachery: do you too, dear Augusta, think of me as my aunt does?" "I don't know what to think; I only know that I am very miserable." They parted for the night mutually unhappy. Amidst all her grief, it was some little comfort to Justina that the true secret of her heart was not known. 66 Arlington, though he contemns me, will never boast of that. I am now," said she to herself, "more than ever convinced that my absence from A————— is desirable on their own accounts, as well as my own; the steam-boat departs to-morrow morning for New-York, and I will go with it; longer stay is only lengthened wretchedness. Arlington has expressed contempt for me and why? he cannot imagine, as they do, that it is the love of Elmore I am desirous of Well! I will leave them to rectify their own mistakes in my absencemy aunt believes me not, but she may one |