s of
his smiling glance.

"Why am I more foolish in admiring one beautiful prospect than you
another, Gabriella? You solicited my admiration for one charming view,
while my eyes were riveted on another. If we are both sincere, we are
equally wise."

"But it seems so unnecessary to take the pains to compliment me, when
you know me so well, and when I know myself so well too."

"I doubt your self-knowledge very much. I do not believe, in the first
place, that you are aware how wonderfully you are improved. You do not
look the same girl you did a year ago. You have grown taller, fairer,
brighter, Gabriella. I did not expect to see this, when I heard you had
shut yourself up in the academy again, under the shadow of old Regulus's
beetling brows."

"I am sure he is not old, Richard; he is in the very prime of manhood."

"Well, Professor Regulus, then. We boys have a habit of speaking of our
teachers in this way. I know it is a bad one, but we all fall into it.
All our college professors have a metaphorical name, with the venerable
epithet attached to it, which you condemn.

"I do not like it at all; it sounds so disrespectful, and, pardon me for
saying it, even coarse."

"You have a great respect for Mr. Regulus."

"I have; he is one of my best friends."

"I dare say he is; I should like to be in his place. You have another
great friend, old Dr. Harlowe."

"There, again. Why, Dr. Harlowe is almost young, at least very far from
being old. He is one of the finest looking men I ever saw, and one of
the best. You college students must be a very presuming set of young
men."

I spoke gravely, for I was really vexed that any one whom I esteemed as
much as I did Richard, should adopt the vulgarisms he once despised.

"We _are_ a barbarous, rude set," he answered with redeeming frankness.
"We show exactly what a savage man is and would ever be, without the
refining influence of women. If it were not for our vacations, we would
soon get beyond the reach of civilization. Be not angry with my
roughness, most gentle Gabriella. Pass over it your smoothing touch, and
it shall have the polish of marble, without its coldness."

We had resumed our walk, and the granite walls of Grandison Place began
to loom up above the surrounding shade.

"That is a noble mansion," said he. "How admirably such a residence must
harmonize with your high, romantic thoughts. But there is one thing that
impresses me with wonder,--that Mrs. Linwo