n."

Charles was astonished at hearing the old woman's words repeated, but
the fear of his own exposure somewhat mollified his anger.

"So, then, thou wert thyself in masquerade?" he said; "and with whom
hast thou dealt to put this cheat upon me."

"I deal with the stars," replied the earl, assuming as nearly as
possible the tone of the astrologer, "and they are unerring guides."

"Odd-fish, my lord," exclaimed Charles, now laughing heartily, "and
were you the necromancer, too?"

"And Colonel Boynton, too, my liege; and all for the purpose of
inducing your majesty to keep your royal word, which said, 'When
Rochester's wit is seductive enough to induce his king, personally, to
wait upon him three several times, or to command his presence at
court, then he may return.'"

"I think, my lords, I have been fairly caught," said the king,
smiling, and speaking to those around him, "and to keep my word
inviolate, must permit Rochester's return."

"To prove that I am not ungrateful for your majesty's goodness,"
observed the earl, "I am prepared to produce the objects of your
solicitude--Colonel Boynton and his fair daughter--they wait your
royal pleasure."

On the introduction of the venerable colonel and the pretty Margaret,
the king whispered to Rochester, "Surely, my lord, this is not the
girl I saw last night?"

"No, your majesty," replied the earl, "she was a pupil of my own."

Charles, in a few words, satisfied Colonel Boynton that the neglect of
his faithful services had been owing entirely to misapprehension. He
gave him at once a position which secured him against future reverses;
nor was it long before his interesting daughter found a husband worthy
of her choice.

Rochester's Protean exploits afforded amusement to the court for some
time. Charles bore the raillery he heard around him philosophically,
and good humoredly admitted that he had been completely outwitted.

LOVE THY MOTHER, LITTLE ONE.

BY RICHARD COE, JR.

Love thy mother, little one,
Love her tenderly;
Clasp thy little arms around her,
For a holy tie hath bound her--
Bound her close to thee!
Love thy mother, little one,
Love her tenderly!

Love thy mother, little one,
Love her earnestly;
Gaze into her eyes, and see there--
All that thou couldst hope to be there--
Warmest love for thee!
Love thy mother, little one,
Love her earnestly!

Love