ng on your notice two fortune-hunting adventurers. They are
both men of position and men of property. The family of the Stanwicks
has been well known to me for years; and Mr. Varleigh brought me a
letter from my oldest living friend, answering for him as a gentleman in
the highest sense of the word. He is the wealthiest man of the two;
and it speaks volumes for him, in my opinion, that he has preserved his
simplicity of character after a long residence in such places as Paris
and Vienna. Captain Stanwick has more polish and ease of manner, but,
looking under the surface, I rather fancy there may be something a
little impetuous and domineering in his temper. However, we all have our
faults. I can only say, for both these young friends of mine, that you
need feel no scruple about admitting them to your intimacy, if they
happen to please you--and your niece. Having now, I hope, removed any
doubts which may have troubled you, pray recall Miss Bertha. I am afraid
I have interrupted you in discussing your plans for the day."

The smoothly eloquent doctor paused for the moment; and I darted away
from the door.

Our plans for the day included a drive through the famous scenery near
the town. My two admirers met us on horseback. Here, again, the Captain
had the advantage over his friend. His seat in the saddle and his
riding-dress were both perfect things in their way. The Englishman rode
on one side of the carriage and the American on the other. They both
talked well, but Mr. Varleigh had seen more of the world in general than
Captain Stanwick, and he made himself certainly the more interesting and
more amusing companion of the two.

On our way back my admiration was excited by a thick wood, beautifully
situated on rising ground at a little distance from the high-road: "Oh,
dear," I said, "how I should like to take a walk in that wood!" Idle,
thoughtless words; but, oh, what remembrances crowd on me as I think of
them now!

Captain Stanwick and Mr. Varleigh at once dismounted and offered
themselves as my escort. The coachman warned them to be careful; people
had often lost themselves, he said, in that wood. I asked the name of
it. The name was Herne Wood. My aunt was not very willing to leave her
comfortable seat in the carriage, but it ended in her going with us.

Before we entered the wood, Mr. Varleigh noted the position of the
high-road by his pocket-compass. Captain Stanwick laughed at him, and
offered me his arm. Ign