, advanced to make her exit by the
front-door, saying, "I will go across the piazza, Mr. Bruce, and send
the ladies word that you are here."

"O, pray, don't!" said he, putting himself in her way. "It would be
cruel; I haven't the slightest wish to see them." He so effectually
prevented her, that she was unwillingly compelled to retreat from the
door and resume her seat. As she did so, she took her work from her
pocket, her countenance in the meantime expressing vexation.

Mr. Bruce looked triumphant.

"Miss Gertrude," said he, "will you oblige me by wearing these flowers
in your hair to-day?"

"I do not wear gay flowers," replied Gertrude, without lifting her eyes
from the piece of muslin on which she was employed.

Supposing this to be on account of her mourning (for she wore a plain
black dress), he selected the white buds from the rest, and, presenting
them to her, begged that, for his sake, she would display them in
contrast with her dark silken braids.

"I am much obliged to you," said Gertrude; "I never saw more beautiful
roses, but I am not accustomed to be so much dressed, and, believe me,
you must excuse me."

"Then you won't take my flowers?"

"Certainly I will, with pleasure," said she, rising, "if you will let me
get a glass of water, and place them in the parlour, where we can all
enjoy them."

"I did not cut my flowers, and bring them here for the benefit of the
whole household," said Ben, in a half-offended tone. "If you won't wear
them, Miss Gertrude, I will offer them to somebody that will."

This, he thought, would alarm her, for his vanity was such that he
attributed her behaviour wholly to coquetry.

"I will punish her," thought he, as he tied the roses together again,
and arranged them for presentation to Kitty, who he knew would be
flattered to receive them.

"Where's Fanny to-day," asked Gertrude, anxious to divert the
conversation.

"I don't know," answered Ben, which implied that he had no idea of
talking about Fanny.

"How attentive you are to your work!" said he, at last: "your eyes
seemed nailed to it. I wish I were as attractive as that piece of
muslin!"

"I wish you were as inoffensive," thought Gertrude.

"I do not think you take much pains to entertain me," added he, "when
I've come here on purpose to see you."

"I thought you came by Mrs. Graham's invitation," said Gertrude.

"And didn't I have to court Kitty for an hour in order to get it?"

"If you obtained i