he was reserved! I began to think I did not know the
right meaning of the word. If he paused and seemed about to relapse into
silence, Edith would draw a long breath, as if she had just been
inhaling some exhilarating gas, and exclaim,--

"Oh! do go on, brother; it is so long since we have heard you talk; it
is such a luxury to hear a person talk, who really _says_ something."

"I never care about talking, unless I do have something to _say_," he
answered, "but I think I have monopolized attention long enough. As a
guest, I have a right to be entertained. Have you forgotten my love for
music, Edith?"

"O no! I remember all your favorite airs, and have played them a
thousand times at least. Do you wish to hear me now?"

"Certainly, I do; I have heard nothing so sweet as your voice, dear
Edith, since I heard your last parting song."

He rose and moved the harp forward, and seated her at the instrument.

"Does not Miss Lynn play?" he asked, running his fingers carelessly over
the glittering strings.

"Who is Miss Lynn?" repeated Edith, with a look of inquiry.

I laughed at her surprise and my own. It was the first time I had ever
heard myself called so, and I looked round involuntarily to see who and
where "Miss Lynn" was.

"Oh, Gabriella!" cried Edith, "I did not know whom you meant. I assure
you, brother, there is no Miss Lynn here; it is Gabriella--_our
Gabriella_--that is her name; you must not call her by any other."

"I shall be happy to avail myself of the privilege of uttering so
charming a name. Does Miss Gabriella play?"

"No, no, that is not right yet, Ernest; you must drop the Miss. Do not
answer him, Gabriella, till he knows his lesson better."

"Does Gabriella play?"

The name came gravely and melodiously from his tongue. The distance
between us seemed wonderfully diminished by the mere breathing my
Christian name.

"I do not," I answered, "but my love of music amounts to a passion. I am
never so happy as when listening to Edith's voice and harp."

"She has never taken lessons," said Edith; "if she had, she would have
made a splendid musician, I am confident she would. Dear mother, when we
go to the city next winter, Gabriella must go with us, and she must have
music-masters, and we will play and sing together. She has taught in
that old academy long enough, I am sure she has."

"I think Gabriella has been taking some very important lessons herself,
while teaching in the old academy, which