of the shoulders, and then resumed his conversation with Virginia.

"Well then, my dear, I am at a loss to conjecture the cause of your
sadness, and must throw myself upon your indulgence to tell me or not,
as you will. I don't think you ever lost anything by confiding in your
old father."

"I know I never did," said Virginia, with a gentle sigh, "and it is for
the very reason that you always make my foolish little sorrows your own,
that I am unwilling to trouble you with them. But really, on the present
occasion--I scarcely know what to tell you."

"Then why that big pearl in your eye?" returned her father. "Ah, you
little rogue, I have found you out at last. Mother, I have guessed the
riddle. Somebody has not been here as often lately as he should. Now
confess, you silly girl, that I have guessed your secret."

The big tears that swam in his daughter's blue eyes, and then rolling
down, dried themselves upon her cheek, told the truth too plainly to
justify denial.

"I really think Virginia has some reason to complain," said her mother.
"It is now nearly three weeks since Mr. Hansford was here. A young
lawyer's business don't keep him so much employed as to prevent these
little courteous attentions."

"We used to be more attentive in our day, didn't we, old lady?" said
Colonel Temple, as he kissed his good wife's cheek.

This little demonstration entirely wiped away the remembrance of her
displeasure. She returned the salutation with an affectionate smile, as
she replied,

"Yes, indeed, Henry; if there was less sentiment, there was more real
affection in those days. Love was more in the heart then, and less out
of books, than now."

"Oh, but we were not without our little sentiments, too. Virginia, it
would have done you good to have seen how gaily your mother danced round
the May-pole, with her courtly train, as the fair queen of them all; and
how I, all ruffs and velvet, at the head of the boys, and on bended
knee, begged her majesty to accept the homage of our loyal hearts. Don't
you remember, Bessy, the grand parliament, when we voted you eight
subsidies, and four fifteenths to be paid in flowers and candy, for your
grand coronation?"

"Oh, yes!" said the old lady; "and then the coronation itself, with the
throne made of the old master's desk, all nicely carpeted and decorated
with flowers and evergreen; and poor Billy Newton, with his long, solemn
face, a paste-board mitre, and his sister's night-gown