ave tried all in your
power, to make him very wretched."

"And, pray, how do you know that I do not like the old gentleman, Jacob?
You appear to think that a girl is to fall in love with nobody but
yourself. Why should I not love an old man with so much learning? I
have been told that old husbands are much prouder of their wives than
young ones, and pay them more attention, and don't run after other
women. How do you know that I am not serious?"

"Because I know your character, Mary, and am not to be deceived. If you
mean to defend yourself in that way, we had better not talk any more."

"Lord, how savage you are! then, suppose I did pay the old gentleman any
attention. Did the young ones pay me any? Did either you, or your
precious friend, Mr Tom, even speak to me?"

"No; we saw how you were employed, and we both hate a jilt."

"Oh, you do. Very well, sir; just as you please. I may make both your
hearts ache for this some day or another."

"Forewarned, forearmed, Mary; and I shall take care that they are both
forewarned as well as myself. As I perceive that you are so decided, I
shall say no more. Only, for your own sake, and your own happiness, I
caution you. Recollect your mother, Mary, and recollect your mother's
death."

Mary covered her face and burst into tears. She sobbed for a few
minutes, and then came to me. "You are right, Jacob; and I am a
foolish--perhaps wicked--girl; but forgive me, and indeed I will try to
behave better. But, as father says, it is human nature in me, and it's
hard to conquer our natures, Jacob."

"Will you promise me not to continue your advances to the Dominie,
Mary?"

"I will not, if I can help it, Jacob. I may forget for the moment, but
I'll do all I can. It's not very easy to look grave when one is merry,
or sour when one is pleased."

"But what can induce you, Mary, to practise upon an old man like him?
If it were young Tom, I could understand it. There might be some
credit, and your pride might be flattered by the victory; but an old
man--"

"Still, Jacob, old or young, it's much the same. I would like to have
them all at my feet, and that's the truth. I can't help it. And I
thought it a great victory to bring there a wise old man, who was so
full of Latin and learning, and who ought to know better. Tell me
Jacob, if old men a how themselves to be caught, as well as young, where
is the crime of catching them? Isn't there as much vanity in an old