supply a never-failing defence against the temptations that beset us here,

When Anna re-entered the room, and their eyes rested upon her face, it was with warmer affections, mingled with something of pride,

CHAPTER IV.-TRUE MAIDEN DELICACY AND ITS OPPO

SITE CONTRASTED.

"WHAT in the world kept you away from Mrs Leslie's?" said a young friend and companion, about her own age, who called in to see Anna Lee on the next day. Her name was Florence Armitage. "We had a most delightful time. Everybody was asking for you, and everybody was disappointed at your absence. I was afraid you were sick, and have called in to see. What did keep you away?"

"Mother was not well, and I did not think it right to go out and leave her."

"Was she very ill?"

"She had one of her violent attacks of headache, and was in bed nearly all day.”

"I'm sorry. But did that keep you at home?"

"Yes. The children were to look after, and I knew if I were out of the way, and mother not able to attend to them, that there would be trouble, Something I was afraid, might occur to disturb her mind, and bring back the headache; and then she would have been sick all night. I would rather have missed a dozen parties than that should have happened."

Florence did not seem altogether satisfied that the mere fact of her mother's not being well was a sufficient reason why Anna should forego the pleasures of company. But she did not say this. She only remained silent for a moment or two, and then began to speak of the delightful time they had had.

"I do not know when I have spent a more pleasant evening," she said, "We missed you very much. And that is not all. Your absence deprived us of the company of another, whose presence all would have welcomed. Or, at least, it was the opinion of some of us that such was the case. Mr Gardiner was not there." And as Florence said this she looked at Anna with an arch smile.

The latter could not prevent a soft blush from stealing over her face, and her eyes were again cast upon the floor. Lifting them, however, after a thoughtful pause, she said to her friend in a serious voice,

"Are you sure Mr Gardiner was not there?"

"He came, it is true; but only staid a little while. It was almost as good as if he had not been there at all.”

"But you ought not to say my absence kept him away." "No. Only that your absence caused him to go away;" replied her friend, smiling.

"You have no right to draw such an inference, Florence. I would much rather it should not be done. I am yet too young to have my name associated with that of any young man."

"How old are you, pray? Perhaps I have mistaken your age. Are you fifteen yet?" continued Florence, in the same sportive mood.

"I know you like young Gardiner," she continued.

"You can't help it.

And all I blame you for is, that

you did not go to Mrs Leslie's with him."

"And neglect a sick mother?"

"It was not any serious matter, that you know well. Only a sick headache.

enough."

You could have gone well

"Not with a clear conscience, Florence, and without that, I could not have been happy anywhere. External circumstances are nothing in the scale of happiness, if all be not right within. I can say from my heart, that I enjoyed myself far more at home than I could possibly have done at Mrs Leslie's, no matter who was or was not there."

"You do not deny, then, that you like young Gardi

ner?"

"I said nothing in regard to him. Why should I deny or affirm on the subject? I do not know anything about him. I have only seen him a few times in company; and I would be a weak one, indeed, either to think or wish myself beloved by a man who is almost a total stranger."

"He is no stranger. Does not every one in the city know his family and standing?"

"But what do you or I know about him?-of his feelings, character, or principles ?"

"You are a strange girl to talk, Anna.”

"I think not. Is it not of importance to know something of the governing principles of the man whose attentions are received ?—who is admitted, in a character so marked and peculiar, to your intimacy?

"Certainly. But, then, it is easy enough for any one

to see, at a glance, what a young man is. I can do so. There is young Hartley for example, whom we both know. It is no hard matter to see what he is."

"How do you estimate him ?"

"As a very narrow-minded person. I do not like him at all."

"Why?"

"I have just said; because he is narrow-minded." "That is, you think so. Now, I differ in opinion, judging from the few opportunities I have had of observing him. I should call him a young man of strong good sense, and one who could never stoop to a mean action." "You do not know him as well as I do."

"Perhaps not. As before intimated, I do not think much about the characters of young men." "It seems you have thought about Hartley's character."

"My opinion of him is only one of those first impressions which are usually received by us all. I have met him some three or four times; and in every conversation I have had with him, I have been pleased to remark a strong regard for truth and honour, and a generous feeling towards every one, except those who deliberately do wrong."

CHAPTER V. THE MAIDEN'S FIRST STRONG TRIAL.

SINCE last meeting with Gardiner, Anna had examined her own heart closely; she had thought much about him, and endeavoured to analyze his character as accurately as

possible. The result was a distinct conviction, that, although she could not but feel an interest in him, he was not one whose moral feelings harmonized with her own. The glimpse she had obtained of his character, when she told him she must remain at home on account of her mother's illness, was enough to cause her to shrink from him.

In meeting him again, she could not but manifest the reserve and coldness she felt. This disturbed him; and his disturbed feelings reacted on hers, and thus drove them further asunder. When they parted that night both felt unhappy.

From this time, Gardiner, who was piqued at Anna's coldness, was resolved to win her. The very indifference

she manifested only confirmed his

purpose.

Ile called frequently on Mr Lee, and managed often to throw himself into his company in a business way. In every interview, Gardiner was exceedingly polite and deferential; the effect of which on the father's mind could hardly fail to be favourable.

As for Anna, the oftener she met with the young man the stronger became her dislike to him. She could not tell why; but her heart shrunk from him more and more daily.

One evening she was sitting at her piano, and playing over some favourite piece of music, when a domestic came in, and said that her mother, who was alone in her room, wished to see her.

Anna went up, as desired.

"Sit down, dear, I have something I wish to say to you."