advisers.

Ellen made excellent progress in all her studies. Her aunt was anxious she
should learn music, and wished her to go to Richmond or to Alexandria for
that purpose, but Ellen begged off; she thought of the old piano and its
cracked keys, and desired not to be separated from her brother, professing
her dislike to any music, but her old nurse's Methodist hymns.

William was tall and athletic for his age, passionate when roused by
harshness or injustice, but otherwise affectionate in his disposition,
idolizing his sister. His uncle looked at him with surprise when he saw him
assume the independence of manner, which sat well upon him; and his aunt
sometimes checked herself, when about to reprove him for the omission of
some unimportant form of politeness, which in her days of youth was
essential. Ellen dwelt with delight upon the approaching time, when she
would be mistress of her brother's establishment, and as important as she
longed to be, on that account. Though she looked upon her uncle's house as
a large cage, in which she had long fluttered a prisoner, she could not but
feel an affection for it; her aunt and uncle often formal, and uselessly
particular, were always substantially kind. It was a good, though not a
cheerful home, and the young look for joy and gaiety, as do the flowers for
birds and sunshine. Ellen was to be a ward of her uncle's until she was of
age, but was to be permitted to reside with her brother, if she wished,
from the time he assumed the management of his estate.

The young people laid many plans for housekeeping. William had not any love
affair in progress, and as yet his sister's image was stamped on all his
projects for the future.

Two years before Ellen came to Exeter, William stood under his sister's
window, asking her what he should bring her from C----, the neighboring
town. "Don't you want some needles," he said, "or a waist ribbon, or some
candy? make haste, Ellen; if I don't hurry, I can't come home to-night."

"I don't want any thing, Willie; but will you be sure to return to-night? I
never sleep well when you are away. Aunt and I are going on Tuesday to
C----; wait and we will stay all night then."

"Oh, no," said William, "I must go; but you may depend upon my being back:
I always keep my promises. So good-by."

Ellen leaned from the window, watching her handsome brother as he rode down
the avenue leading into the road He turned in his saddle, and bowed to
her, just