iend, Mr. Bernard, is of that opinion."

"Oh, you needn't think, with your provoking laugh," said Miss Bray,
"that I care a fig for Mr. Bernard's attention to her."

"I didn't say so."

"No, but you thought so, and you know you did; and what's more, it's too
bad that you should take such a delight in provoking me. I believe it's
all jealousy at last."

"Jealousy, my dear Matilda," said her companion, "is a jaundiced jade,
that thinks every object is of its own yellow colour. But see, the dance
is about to commence again, and here comes my partner. You must excuse
me." And with a smile of conscious beauty, Caroline Ballard gave her
hand to the handsome young gallant who approached her.

Bernard and Virginia, too, rose from their seats, but, to the surprise
of Matilda Bray, they did not take their places in the dance, but walked
towards the door. Bernard saw how his old flame was writhing with
jealousy, and as he passed her he said, maliciously,

"Good evening, Miss Matilda; I hope you are enjoying the ball."

"Oh, thank you, exceedingly," said Miss Bray, patting her foot
hysterically on the floor, and darting from her fine black eyes an angry
glance, which gave the lie to her words.

Leaving her to digest her spleen at her leisure, the handsome pair
passed out of the ball-room and into the lawn. It was already thronged
with merry, laughing young people, who, wearied with dancing, were
promenading through the gravelled walks, or sitting on the rural
benches, arranged under the spreading trees.

"Oh, this is really refreshing," said the young girl, as she smoothed
back her tresses from her brow, to enjoy the delicious river breeze.
"Those rooms were very oppressive."

"I scarcely found them so," said Bernard, gallantly; "for when the mind
is agreeably occupied we soon learn to forget any inconvenience to which
the body may be subjected. But I knew you would enjoy a walk through
this fine lawn."

"Oh, indeed I do; and truly, Mr. Bernard," said the ingenuous girl, "I
have much to thank you for. Nearly a stranger in Jamestown, you have
made my time pass happily away, though I fear you have deprived yourself
of the society of others far more agreeable."

"My dear Miss Temple, I will not disguise from you, even to retain your
good opinion of my generosity, the fact that my attention has not been
so disinterested as you suppose."

"I thank you, sir," said Virginia, "for the compliment; but I am afraid
that I have