f last night," said I, colouring
slightly. "The mournful words of your song led me to conclude that, in
one instance, high spirits might not be a sure indication of a light
heart; and yet I would fain hope," added I in a half-questioning tone,
"that you merely sought to inculcate a general principle."

"Is not that a very unusual species of heath to find growing in this
country?" was the rejoinder.

"Really, I am no botanist," returned I, rather crossly, for I felt that
I had received a rebuff, and was not at all sure that I might not have
deserved it.

"Nay, but I will have you attend; you did not even look towards the
place where it is growing," replied Miss Saville, with a half-imperious,
half-imploring glance, which it was impossible to resist.

"Is that the plant you mean?" asked I, pointing to a tuft of heath on
the top of a steep bank by the roadside.

On receiving a reply in the affirmative, I continued: "Then I will
render you all the assistance in my power, by enabling you to judge for
yourself ". So saying, I scrambled up the bank at the imminent risk of
my neck; and after bursting the button-holes of my straps, and tearing
my coat in two places with a bramble, I succeeded in gathering the
heath.

Elated by my success, and feeling every nerve braced and invigorated by
the frosty air, I bounded down the slope with such velocity, that, on
reaching the bottom, I was unable to check my speed, and only avoided
running against Miss Saville, by nearly throwing myself down backwards.

"I beg your pardon!" exclaimed I; "I hope I have not alarmed you by my
abominable awkwardness; but really the bank was so steep, that it was
impossible to stop sooner."

"Nay, it is I who ought to apologise for having led you to undertake
such a dangerous expedition," replied she, taking the heath which I had
gathered, with a smile which quite repaid me for my exertions.

"I do not know what could have possessed me to run down the bank in that
insane manner," returned I; "I suppose it is this fine frosty morning
which makes one feel so light and happy."

"Happy!" repeated my companion incredulously, and in a half-absent
manner, as though she were rather thinking aloud than addressing me.

~270~~ "Yes," replied I, surprised; "why should I not feel so?"

"Is any one happy?" was the rejoinder.

"Very many people, I hope," said I; "you do not doubt it, surely."

"I well might," she answered with a sigh.

"On such a beautif