her exalted pretensions, and submit to them,
would most infallibly be one of a character and temper so far inferior
to her own that she would scorn him from the outset. This dilemma,
imposed by the rigidity of her smaller dignities, that were never
mastered or overshadowed either by her sentiment or her passion, not
only involved a life of celibacy, but was a constant justification of
it, and made it eminently easy to be borne. There are not a few maiden
ladies who are thus lightered over the shoals of a solitary existence by
the buoyancy of their own intemperate vanities.

Miss Johns did not accept the invitation of her brother to undertake the
charge of his household without due consideration. She by no means left
out of view the contingency of his possible future marriage; but she
trusted largely to her own influences in making it such a one, if
inevitable, as should not be discreditable to the family name. And under
such conditions she would retire with serene contentment to her own more
private sphere of Canterbury,--or, if circumstances should demand, would
accept the position of guest in the house of her brother. Nor did she
leave out of view her influence in the training of the boy Reuben. She
cherished her own hopes of moulding him to her will, and of making him a
pride to the family.

There was of course prodigious excitement in the parsonage upon her
arrival. Esther had done her best at all household appliances, whether
of kitchen or chamber. The minister received her with his wonted
quietude, and a brotherly kiss of salutation. Reuben gazed wonderingly
at her, and was thinking dreamily if he should ever love her, while he
felt the dreary rustle of her black silk dress swooping round as she
stooped to embrace him. "I hope Master Reuben is a good boy," said she;
"your Aunt Eliza loves all good boys."

He had nothing to say; but only looked back into that cold gray eye, as
she lifted his chin with her gloved hand.

"Benjamin, there's a strong look of the Handbys; but it's your forehead.
He's a little man, I hope," and she patted him on the head.

Still Reuben looked--wonderingly--at her shining silk dress, at her hat,
at the little curls on either temple, at the guard-chain which hung from
her neck with a glittering watch-key upon it, at the bright buckle in
her belt, and most of all at the gray eye which seemed to look on him
from far away. And with the same stare of wonderment, he followed her up
and do