now what a noble girl she is. For her sister she
would sacrifice her life. My only hope is in her."

I snatched up my hat, and hurried out of the house.

The next morning I got up, restless and uneasy; and eleven o'clock
had scarcely struck when I reached the Bowsends' house. This time
both sisters were at home; and as I entered the drawing-room,
Arthurine advanced to meet me with a beautiful smile upon her face.
There was nevertheless a something in the expression of her
countenance that made me start. I pressed her hand. She looked
tenderly at me.

"I hope you have been amusing yourself these last two days," said I
after a moment's pause.

"Novelty has a certain charm," replied Arthurine. "Yet I certainly
never expected to become a disciple of Miss Fanny Wright," added she,
laughing.

"Really! I should have thought the transition from Tom and Jerry
rather an easy one."

"A little more respect for Tom and Jerry, whom _we_ patronize--that
is to say, Mr Moreland and our high mightiness," replied Arthurine,
trying, as I fancied, to conceal a certain confusion of manner under
a laugh.

"I should scarcely have thought my Arthurine would have become a
party to such a conspiracy against good taste," replied I gravely.

"_My_ Arthurine!" repeated she, laying a strong accent on the pronoun
possessive. "Only see what rights and privileges the gentleman is
usurping! We live in a free country, I believe?"

There was a mixture of jest and earnest in her charming countenance.
I looked enquiringly at her.

"Do you know," cried she, "I have taken quite a fancy to Moreland? He
is so good-natured, such a sterling character, and his roughness
wears off when one knows him well."

"And moreover," added I, "he has five hundred thousand dollars."

"Which are by no means the least of his recommendations. Only think
of the balls, Howard! I hope you will come to them. And then
Saratoga; next year London and Paris. Oh! it will be delightful."

"What, so far gone already?" said I, sarcastically.

"And poor Margaret is saved!" added she, throwing her arms round her
sister's neck, and kissing and caressing her. I hardly knew whether
to laugh or to cry.

"Then, I suppose, I may congratulate you?" said I, forcing a laugh,
and looking, I have no doubt, very like a fool.

You may so," replied Arthurine. "This morning Mr Moreland begged
permission to transfer his addresses from Margaret to your very
humble servant."

"And you?"--