scarcely time to look at you, and was established for the especial had to run away to be here at all." purpose of keeping him on his "What is the matter?" said feet!-mighty pretty feet they are,

Camille, through whose long black locks wonderfully unaffected by her illness, her nurse was passing an ivory comb.

too!"

"Does Frank, as you call him, deserve all this devotion?" asked the amused Camille.

"Matter? Why Frank is com"Frank is a very nice fellow," ing, and if it were the Prince of said Miss Charley, meditatively, Wales, aunt Eliza couldn't con- as she rubbed her delicate nose sider the visit of greater impor- with her left fore-finger, "very

tance! She has written a regular State Paper to Grandpa, announcing the fact, and sent Grandma a document recording Frank's virtues and wisdom, ending with her prophetic consciousness that such a paragon is " destined to an early tomb." Grandma, who thinksaunt Liza an oracle, preached me a sermon from the text Frank, and when she got to the end of the letter she cried and Mammy groaned to such an extent that I couldn't help laughing, and so fell into deep disgrace.

He

nice, indeed; spoiled, and rather
too lazy and fond of ease and lux-
ury, but very handsome and styl-
ish, and well-bred, of course.
will never set the James, or any
other river, on fire, but he is brave,
high-minded, generous, and the
very soul of honor."

"I am very glad you think so highly of him, my dear, if the report that you and he are to be married one of these days, be true," said Mrs. Esten.

"But I DO'NT think highly of him in that way!" said the girl, with a glowing face! In that

Grandpa was out, and the Professor busy, so in my despair I light I do not like him a bit! As bribed uncle Jack with some of my cousin I love him dearly; as Grandpa's most cherished tobac- my Oh! Mrs. Esten I co, to drive me over without any couldn't!-we have been together one but ourselves knowing it." ever since we were babies just "Well take off your hat, and like brother and sister. We stay all day and night," said Mrs. never were separated till he went Esten who entered, key-basket to College, and when we were on arm, from her round of housekeeping duties.

little things -."

Here Miss Charley's eloquent speech was stopped by a vision which rose before her of two tiny

"No ma'am, thank you, I am obliged to go back and meet Frank, for aunt Liza would never forgive forms, which, encased in Canton me if I in any way slighted her flannel would kneel at opposite beloved. I declare, I do wonder sides of their grand-mother's she is not afraid to make such an knees to say their evening prayidol as she does of Frank! I really believe she thinks the sun rises for no other reason than to look at Frank Lee, and that gravitation

ers.

"I don't wish to marry any one," she continued, after a slight pause, "for I am too happy at home, but I shall never marry seat of the Prestons', were seated Frank! around the table which was sup

re

Grand-ma and aunt Liza will plied in the style which has made "rear" (as uncle Jack says) when Virginia breakfasts world they know this, and I shall have nowned, on the glorious next a scene to go through, and will be morning, when, although the

snow lay soft and white on the ground, the sky and sun were beaming as if in Spring.

considered a monster of insensibility, but I think I can survive it! If the Professor isn't too busy with his books, I reckon he'll help The colonel had been descantme, and I known Grand-pa will, ing in the heated manner which and he is the best knight ever invariably attended his disquisiowned by a damsel in distress! I tions on political matters, on the already feel symptoms of incipi- Leader in the last issue of the ent persecution-do'nt I look like New York Herald, and other a martyr, Camille?"

signs of the times, while the

"Well, not exactly!" said Professor had followed his arguCamille, looking in the lovely face ments and philippics somewhat turned towards her. "But when wearily, yet with the gentle deferthe stake is prepared you must ence to the wishes of others which bring yourself and your troubles was one of his distinguishing to us, and you know you will re- traits, making, now and then ceive the heartiest welcome and however, a random reply, which the truest sympathy!"

showed a mind greatly preoccupied with some subject, other than the one under discussion.

"Poor thing," said Mrs. Esten laughingly, "her's is a pitiable case! She is requested "Grand-ma" said Miss Charto marry an elegant young gen- ley's clear voice as the Professor tleman, the handsomest man in placed his empty cup upon the the county, and one of the richest waiter of uncle Jack, whose whim in the State, she has indeed it was to stand at meals behind good cause for sorrow!"

"I shall marry a man, not his looks, or his bank-book!" was the saucy reply, and giving a kiss to each of the ladies, this lighthearted damsel, in distress, ran down to the carriage and was driven carefully home by uncle Jack.

Repairing to her room, she remained there in unusual seclusion until the ringing of the dinner bell called her below, and Mandy announced, "Mass Frank had come."

his master's chair, and who, in token of his high regard for the Professor deigned to include him in his dignified ministrations, and who with a grave bow, now presented his cup to his stately mistress, "Grand-ma, please don't give the Professor any more coffee; he has had three cups already, and he has very important work before him to-day."

"My dear," said the dignified hostess, "it is extremely rude to observe the amount that persons eat, aud still ruder to impose re

The family at Southside, the strictions upon them."

"I know it, Grandma, but I slightest knowledge of military can't consent that immortality tactics, Troy might be standing shall be sacrificed to politeness still! Yet Charley holds him up nora cup of coffee," she added, pouting her pretty lips, as she gave a saucy nod to the Professor's chair.

"Immortality?-Coffee?" said the puzzled lady, "What do you mean, child?"

to me as a model!-model indeed! What did he do?"

"He didn't talk with his mouth full of buckwheat cakes!" said Miss. Preston, turning scarlet at this attack on her beloved hero. "As to your being like himthere's small chance of that!" and the piquant nose of the speaker went up in the air at an expressive angle.

"Just this, ma'am; the Professor has brought the history of Hector up to his parting with his wife, and what with his troubles in treating of hers, and his difficulties in describing the baby Astynax (I KNOW he has set him down as "an obese infant with ox eyes and windily distended cheeks") here a warning finger was shaken at the maligned author-" he will have his hands there's as small chance of that as

and head fuller than may be agreeable, so the clearer the latter is kept the better for all parties concerned-uncle Jack, bring back the cup!"

"I am much obliged to you, Miss Charley, for your reminder, and shall do my very best to show not only my regard for the descendants of Priam, but also my gratitude to you."

"I do not wish to be like him, particularly, if I am to be dragged seven times round Richmond!" was the rejoinder in a somewhat surly tone, for the young gentleman resented the curt manner of his pretty cousin. "Though

of my resembling the immortal Trojan! I say, Grandpa, there's a flight of the imagination for you! Fancy Richmond the capital of a warlike kingdom and the bone of contention between contending armies! Why if an army of seven hundred were to attack her, so far from resisting ten years, she wouldn't show so much as a seven days' fight!"

"I do wish, Frank," said Mrs. Preston, "that you would not speak in that disrespectful manner of Richmond, the capital of your

"What pleasure can you find, Professor, in digging away at those old Greek roots?" said Frank. "I have such a keen sense of the many injuries they State, and dear to every Virginia did me in the way of keeping me heart for that and for all her dein, when I ought to have been parted glories! It hurts my feelfishing, or hunting, that I am ings-I would almost as soon only too glad to cut the whole con- think of speaking against my cern. What was Hector that you and Charley (who used to cry regularly every time we read his death) should make such a fuss about him? If he had had the

mother as of attacking Virginia!" and the lady's figure was drawn up with more than its usual erectness.

"Abuse Richmond!-my dearest Grandma, I assure you I nev- perfect stranger. Why would'nt er dreamed of doing such a thing! you kiss me last night, when I I love every stone in her dear old came?"

hilly streets, and I'd fight for her

"Because I did'nt want to!"

"Very satisfactory reason I declare, but a piece with the rest of your conduct! Charley, something's the matter with you-I never did see any one so changed! Before I went away and when I was here last, you were the dearest, sweetest little thing in the

to the very death; but don't you see how ridiculous my fancy about her is? Richmond, the quietest of worn out cities, to become the capital of a great nation, besieged by a hostile host, and the turning point by the possession of which a great war would be terminated! There, Grandma, give me a cup of world-did everything 1 wantedcoffee to wash away the picture; treated me as kindly as a sister, not being destined to immortality, and were just as fond of me.I presume no one will interfere in What has changed you, Charley?" my behalf!" "I have reached the years of discretion, and learned to think!" was the reply given with all the superb dignity of seventeen years.

"I certainly shall not!" said Miss Charley, with chilling dignity, as she rose and left the breakfast room.

Frank followed in a short time, and after an ineffectual search through her favorite haunts, found her in the library.

She was standing at the window of a recess, which could be shut off from the rest of the room by a heavy curtain, and was known as "Charley's corner," and she looked so provokingly pretty that her cousin, taking advantage of his relationship, came softly behind her, and throwing his arms round her plump shoulders, ordered her to give the countersign, or yield herself his prisoner.

"The countersign is, 'behave yourself '-and, Frank, let me go at once!" she said in a tone he did not dare disobey; so removing his hands, he stood by her side.

"Years of fiddlestick!-as to knowing how to think, I can't remember the time when you did'nt know how to do that, and to exercise a will of your own!

But, Charley, say, are you not going to give me the kiss? I do want it so much!"

"I'll give you something you want a great deal more, Frank!" "What is it? -Oh! Charlie you are the greatest girl in the whole world! What is it?"

"An apple-turnover--mammy made at least a peck yesterday for you."

gracious,

"I did not come to Southside to be insulted-I shall leave this afternoon!" said indignant manhood, drawing itself stiffly up. "Insulted!--Good Frank, who is changed now?You know you used to love eating better than anything on earth and apple-turnovers better than any other kind of eating; how

"Charley" he said, attempting to take her hand, which was firmly planted in the depths of her apron pocket, "You act very strangely-you treat me like a was I to know that your affections

had altered, or been turned-over Charley, return that love-you do,

to some new object?"

"My affections have not altered, but are now as they have always been, Charley, and you know it!"

"Well then, let me get you the turn-over."

I know you do, if you would only confess it. Why will you not confess it and put us both out of our misery? By George, she's laughing at me!-Charley, you are enough to drive me mad!" and the young gentleman stamped his foot in a manner which must be confessed, was rather boyish.

"Now, Charley, you can't get off in that way. You know my affections are fastened on you, and the object of my life is to Miss Charley bit her red lips make you my wife-Oh! Charley, and tried to turn down their I do love you so much!-My very dimpled corners to a becoming soul is on fire." "Then the degree of gravity, and stood sooner you put it out the better, plaiting the strings of her silk Frank! Not however, that it apron, while her cousin made will do you any hurt, for to my an effort to swallow his wrath, certain knowledge, it has been on and then continued in a formal fire in the same way, exactly, six times! You know you made me your confidant in each of your love affairs, and I entered them day and date, in my journal."

tone:

"Miss Preston, I am at present nineteen years of age and may be presumed to have reached man's estate. I have the honor to make

ous consideration, and return me an answer at your earliest convenience?"

"But, Charley, my dearest you an offer of my heart and cousin, that was'nt real love-it hand. May I request that you was all make-believe, and com- take the subject under your seripared to what I feel for you is like day-break to twelve o'clock! Oh! Charley, you are so prettyindeed you are, and your figure is perfection. I never did love any girl as I do you!-I could do any thing in the world for you!-For verge of the Judicrous, and then you can exclaim in the words of folding his arms over his swelling the Greek Poet "

Mr. Lee pronounced this speech in a manner of such dignified solemnity that it reached the

chest, and throwing back his handsome head, stood the impersonation of impatient importance. Charley walked round in front

"Stop, Frank, you'll get out of your depth if you touch poetry or the Greeks! You say you'll do anything for me; well now, be of him and stood for a second the dear, good, sensible fellow gazing up at him with a face you used to be before you got this dimpling all over with mirthful notion that you love me, in your mischief. Then raising her little head." hands, she gently grasped the

"Notion that I love you!- downy tuft on each cheek, to Cruel, unfeeling girl, I not only whose cultivation the young genlove you; but I adore you! Oh! tleman devoted the greater part