nd up by
quoting the Rev. Mr. Allprayer as the best authority on the subject.
Younker stood by her side, calmly heard her through, and then shrugging
his shoulders with a very significant expression, walked away without
saying a word, to the great amusement of the whole assemblage.

As to Algernon, he seemed to take no delight in what was going forward;
and though he participated somewhat in the dance, yet it was evident to
all observers that his mind went not with his body, and that what he did
was done more with a design of concealing his real feelings, than for
any amusement it afforded himself. When not occupied in this manner, or
in conversation, he would steal away, seat himself where he was least
likely to be observed, and fall into a gloomy, abstracted mood; from
which, when suddenly roused by some loud peal of laughter, or by the
touch and voice of some person near, he would sometimes start and look
around as one just awakened from a frightful vision. This gloomy
abstraction, too, appeared to grow upon him more and more, as the day
settled into night and the night wore on, as though he felt some dreaded
calamity had been hanging over, and was now about to fall upon him. So
apparent was this toward the last, that even the most careless began to
observe, and make remarks, and ask questions concerning him; and some
even proceeded to inquire of him regarding the state of his health. His
answers to all interrogatives now became so brief and abrupt, that but
few ventured to address him the second time. Whatever the cause of his
present gloomy state of mind, it was evidently not the ordinary one--at
least not wholly that--for never before had Ella (who was in the habit,
since their acquaintance, of observing him narrowly) seen him in such a
mood as now. It was, perhaps, one of those strange mental foresights,
peculiar to certain temperaments, whereby the individual is sometimes
warned of impending danger, and feels oppressed by a weight of
despondency impossible to shake off.

This serious change in the appearance of Algernon, was not without its
effect upon Ella. Naturally of a tender, affectionate, and sympathetic
disposition, she could not feel at ease when another was suffering, and
particularly when that other was one standing so high in her estimation
as Algernon Reynolds. Naturally, too, possessing light and buoyant
spirits--fond of gaiety where all were gay--she exhibited on the present
occasion the effect of