be her--let it suffice
that she was an angel in my eyes! It was impossible to remove my gaze
from her, and I fancied that she sometimes returned an approving
glance. Before the service was over, I was delighted to observe that
she whispered something to Mrs. Arras, (the name of the lady whose pew
she was in,) for this assured me that they were acquainted, and that I
might obtain some information about the fair being who had made such a
sudden and deep impression on my heart, and perhaps procure an
introduction to her. When I retired to my couch that night, it was not
to sleep. The image of the fair stranger haunted my restless and
imperfect slumbers. Nor could I study by day, for my thoughts wandered
continually from the page to the same bright vision. Such was my
condition throughout the week. The next Sunday I found her seated in
the same pew. Our eyes met, and a slight blush that mantled her fair
face encouraged me to hope that she might likewise have bestowed some
thoughts on me during the preceding week. It was in vain that I
uttered the responses during the service, or knelt down when the
clergyman offered up his prayers. I could think of nothing but the
angelic stranger. I resolved that another week should not pass without
my calling at Mrs. Arras's. But my object was obtained sooner than I
expected. When the congregation was dismissed, Mrs. Arras beckoned me
across the aisle to her.

"'Charles,' whispered she, 'don't you want an introduction to my
niece? I saw your eyes riveted on her several times.'

"'I--if you please,' I replied, with feelings of mingled delight and
embarrassment.

"'Laura,' she continued, turning to the young lady who lingered
behind, but seemed to be conscious of what was passing, 'let me
introduce you to my young friend, Charles Glenn.' The bland and
accomplished Mrs. Arras then moved onward, while I attended at the
side of Laura, and continued with her until I assisted her up, the
marble steps of her aunt's stately mansion.

"I then bowed, and strode rapidly onward, I knew not whither,
(completely bewildered with the enchanting spell that the fair Laura
had thrown over me,) until I reached the extremity of Broadway, and
found myself in Castle Garden, gazing like a very maniac at the bright
water below me. I wandered about alone, enjoying the exhilarating
fancies of my teeming brain, until the sun sunk beneath the horizon,
and the bright stars twinkled in the blue vault above. Oh! the