een probed at
intervals with little casual questions; random interjections, that
one who loved him could not fail to meet; petty doubts requiring
elucidations. And the Countess, kind as her sentiments had grown toward
the afflicted creature, was compelled to proclaim her densely stupid in
material affairs. For the Countess had an itch of the simplest feminine
curiosity to know whether the dear child had any notion of accomplishing
a certain holy duty of the perishable on this earth, who might possess
worldly goods; and no hints--not even plain speaking, would do. Juliana
did not understand her at all.

The Countess exhibited a mourning-ring on her finger, Mrs. Bonner's
bequest to her.

'How fervent is my gratitude to my excellent departed friend for this! A
legacy, however trifling, embalms our dear lost ones in the memory!'

It was of no avail. Juliana continued densely stupid. Was she not worse?
The Countess could not, 'in decency,' as she observed, reveal to her
who had prompted Mrs. Bonner so to bequeath the Beckley estates as
to 'ensure sweet Juliana's future'; but ought not Juliana to divine
it?--Juliana at least had hints sufficient.

Cold Spring winds were now blowing. Juliana had resided no less than two
months with the Cogglesbys. She was entreated still to remain, and she
did. From Lady Jocelyn she heard not a word of remonstrance; but from
Miss Carrington and Mrs. Shorne she received admonishing letters.
Finally, Mr. Harry Jocelyn presented himself. In London, and without any
of that needful subsistence which a young gentleman feels the want of
in London more than elsewhere, Harry began to have thoughts of his
own, without any instigation from his aunts, about devoting himself to
business. So he sent his card up to his cousin, and was graciously met
in the drawing-room by the Countess, who ruffled him and smoothed
him, and would possibly have distracted his soul from business had
his circumstances been less straitened. Juliana was declared to be
too unwell to see him that day. He called a second time, and enjoyed a
similar greeting. His third visit procured him an audience alone with
Juliana, when, at once, despite the warnings of his aunts, the frank
fellow plunged, 'medias res'. Mrs. Bonner had left him totally dependent
on his parents and his chances.

'A desperate state of things, isn't it, Juley? I think I shall go for a
soldier--common, you know.'

Instead of shrieking out against such a debasem