uth perceptively, and
thence make it a rule of action, than to prove its verity in a
life of sharp agony. But how few are able to rise into such a
realization!

MATCH-MAKING.

"YOU are a sly girl, Mary."

"Not by general reputation, I believe, Mrs. Martindale."

"Oh no. Every one thinks you a little paragon of propriety. But I
can see as deep as most people."

"You might as well talk in High Dutch to me, Mrs. Martindale. You
would be equally intelligible."

"You are a very innocent girl, Mary."

"I hope I am. Certainly I am not conscious of wishing harm to any
one. But pray, Mrs. Martindale, oblige me by coming a little nearer
to the point."

"You don't remember any thing about Mrs. Allenson's party--of
course?"

"It would be strange if I did not."

"Oh yes. Now you begin to comprehend a little."

"Do speak out plainly, Mrs. Martindale!"

"So innocent! Ah me, Mary! you are a sly girl. You didn't see any
thing of a young man there with dark eyes and hair, and a beautiful
white, high forehead?"

"If there was an individual there, answering to your description, it
is highly probable that I did see him. But what then?"

"Oh, nothing, of course!"

"You are trifling with me, Mrs. Martindale."

"Seriously, then, Mary, I was very much pleased to notice the
attentions shown you by Mr. Fenwick, and more pleased at seeing how
much those attentions appeared to gratify you. He is a young man in
a thousand."

"I am sure I saw nothing very particular in his attentions to me;
and I am very certain that I was also more gratified at the
attentions shown by him, than I was by those of other young men
present."

"Of course not."

"You seem to doubt my word?"

"Oh no--I don't doubt your word. But on these subjects young ladies
feel themselves privileged to--to"----

"To what, Mrs. Martindale?"

"Nothing--only. But don't you think Mr. Fenwick a charming young
man?"

"I didn't perceive any thing very remarkable about him."

"He did about you. I saw that, clearly."

"How can you talk so to me, Mrs. Martindale?"

"Oh la! Do hear the girl! Did you never have a beau, Mary?"

"Yes, many a one. What of it?"

"And a lover too?"

"I know nothing about lovers."

As Mary Lester said this, her heart made a fluttering bound, and an
emotion, new and strange, but sweet, swelled and trembled in her
bosom.

"But you soon will, Mary, or I'm mistaken."

Mrs. Martindale saw the cheek of the fair girl kindl