in the

way of accomplishment, is truly gratifying; yet it must be observed, for the benefit of the young reader, that his resolutions were palpably grounded on his inclinations, rather than a sense of duty-a sandy and precarious foundation.

Full of high purposes, Lefevre paid a visit to Douglas. He knew he had now à tale to tell, that would greatly please his benevolent mind; and he felt that his approbation would really improve his bliss. Douglas received him alone, that their interview might not be overawed. He had not seen him for two long years, and he feared that this call was rather the fruit of necessity than of choice. The air of Lefevre, however, soon dispelled his fears; and they entered into conversation on the past, in which the delicacy of friendship was conspicuous on one side, and' on the other, an unusual candour of confession. The subject on which Lefevre meant to converse first and chiefly, was postponed till the very last. It was only as he was rising, with his hat in his hand, that he said with assumed carelessness

-" Do you know that much of what I have referred to, is to be traced to an event which I am anticipating, but which I have not mentioned."

"No-what is it?"

“Would you guess marriage??

66

Marriage!" exclaimed Douglas, with more surprise in his manner than he wished. "Yes," replied Lefevre with less firm

ness of voice.

To whom?"

To a Miss D--you do not know her-I wish you did. I'm sure you would approve her."

"I dare say I should if

you

think so

you know my taste-Is she of unspotted

family?"

"Yes-very good-very respectable!"

"Sensible?"

"Yes, very!"

"Prudent?"

"Yes-manages every thing in the

house."

"Good tempered?"

"Yes-sweetness itself!"

"Modest?"

"Of course full of your favorite

reserve."

"Pious!"

Lefevre's ready replies failed him. That single word evidently distressed him. However, after some hesitancy, he answered-

"Ah! I wish I was half as good-I wish I was worthy of her!"

Douglas was sorry the last question had escaped him; and, accepting this vague reply, continued

"Well, Charles, I hope you will be thoroughly satisfied on two things, before you talk of marriage seriously."

"What are they?" said he hastily.

be

First, that you can make the object of your attachment happy. And secondly, that she can make you so. There may excellent qualifications on each side, where there is not this mutual fitness; and without this they are as nothing."

"Heigh, heigh!" taking Douglas by the hand and passing to the door—“ I am fully satisfied of them already. Believe

me," continued he smiling, "we are not like two spheres, which have but one point of union; but like two planes that meet throughout."

So saying, the friends parted. Upon the whole, Douglas was pleased to find any thing had wrought such a change on Lefevre. He was constrained, however, to recur to a time, in which he would not have allowed himself to think of piety and marriage as separable things, and he sighed under the recollection.

CHAPTER XXI.

THE following day Lefevre had set apart for a visit to Miss D; and, having made needful arrangements, he started with the sun to fulfil his intention. It was a fine autumnal morning; and, with a heart full of gratified love, he was in a condition to enjoy it. He thought the sun' shone brighter than usual; and he drank in, with peculiar relish, the fine bracing air, that was stirring amongst the Surry and Kentish hills. Every object in nature wore a smiling aspect to him, and seemed inviting him back to his long lost pleasurés. In present enjoyment, he for a moment forgot the slackened pace of his horse; and, then recollecting himself, clapped his spurs to his side, to hasten him to the object, who had insensibly given a charm to every thing. Lefevre

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