id she, lost in a sweet confusion, and her
cheeks, always glowing, glowing still more deeply, "indeed, I did not
mean----I meant only----I will stay here----I would rather stay----"

"It grieves me to hear that," said I, with earnestness; "I thought I was
studying our mutual happiness."

"It grieves you? Don't say so. I would not grieve you for the world;
but, indeed, indeed, it is too soon. Such a girl as I am not yet fit
to--live in your city." Again she hid her glowing face in my bosom.

"Sweet consciousness! Heavenly innocence!" thought I; "may Achsa's
conjectures prove false!--You have mistaken my design, for I do not
intend to carry you to town with such a view as you have hinted; but
merely to place you with a beloved friend, with Achsa Fielding, of whom
already you know so much, where we shall enjoy each other's company
without restraint or intermission."

I then proceeded to disclose to her the plan suggested by my friend, and
to explain all the consequences that would flow from it. I need not say
that she assented to the scheme. She was all rapture and gratitude.
Preparations for departure were easily and speedily made. I hired a
chaise of a neighbouring farmer, and, according to my promise, by noon
the same day, delivered the timid and bashful girl into the arms of her
new sister.

She was received with the utmost tenderness, not only by Mrs. Fielding,
but by all my friends. Her affectionate heart was encouraged to pour
forth all its feeling as into the bosom of a mother. She was reinspired
with confidence. Her want of experience was supplied by the gentlest
admonitions and instructions. In every plan for her improvement
suggested by her new _mamma_, (for she never called her by any other
name,) she engaged with docility and eagerness; and her behaviour and
her progress exceeded the most sanguine hopes that I had formed as to
the softness of her temper and the acuteness of her genius.

Those graces which a polished education, and intercourse with the better
classes of society, are adapted to give, my girl possessed, in some
degree, by a native and intuitive refinement and sagacity of mind. All
that was to be obtained from actual observation and instruction was
obtained without difficulty; and in a short time nothing but the
affectionate simplicity and unperverted feelings of the country-girl
bespoke the original condition.

"What art so busy about, Arthur? Always at thy pen of late. Come, I must
know