The young woman had listened with too much attention to all this, to have heard it with indifference.

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Neighbour," says she, in a more friendly tone, all that you have now told me, may be true; I have not such a bad opinion of you, even to doubt it. But there is no occasion for me to inquire about the matter, I have nothing to do with it, it is none of my business. You have parents, and a rich aunt; so much the better for you; I wish you a good night, I must retire. I expect my mother every minute, and if she found me here so late in the evening talking with a man, she would make a fine uproar, and in which she would certainly not be to blame."

Upon this the young man took Agnes by the hand with a friendly force, and entreated her, sobbing (and I really believe the poor fellow shed tears), not to send him away so comfortless. "I beg of you, dearly as I love you, sweet Agnes, to remain here a little longer; how can you have the heart to part with me in this manner, good-natured as you are?" "Do but see, now;" said Agnes, laughing, "this is too foolish to mind, how can you know whether I am good-natured or not, when this is the first time you ever spoke to me, or have you been inquiring about me, as you want me to do about you?"

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...

Inquire about you, my dear Agnes! about you! I had rather lose my life. I want no information; I am certain that you are good-natured, that you are virtuous, and that you are as deserving a young woman as any living. Do not ask me how I know it, I see it in your dear face, and I feel it in my heart: that cannot deceive me, and I would stake my life for its truth. But hearken, Agnes, I should be sorry your mother should scold you upon my account, and I also feel your little hands grow as cold as ice; only let me ask you one question: is there another lover who may have spoken to you first? if so, I would drop the affair, notwithstanding the hardship it would be to me, because I am too honest to endeavour to be another man's hinderance."

"As to this," said Agnes, "I will give you a direct answer. No, I have never had any lover, neither do I want any, be he whom he will. I can easily wait eight or ten years for that, and I love my mother too much to leave her so soon. Therefore, neighbour, do not give yourself any fruitless trouble about me. In the situation you have represented

yourself, you will soon find a handsomer girl than I am, and perhaps a pretty penny into the bargain, which you will not get with me, for my mother and I have enough to do, with economy, to get through the world creditably.”

"So much the better, my dear Agnes," said the young man ; 66 5 so much the more pleasure I shall have, if I may be so happy as to enable you to live more comfortably. Oh! if I might obtain from you, my dear Agnes, leave to visit you now and then: if you would only grant me this favour, I would not wish to change with the richest burgomaster's son in the whole city." "At any rate," said Agnes, "you cannot ask that of me, but of my mother. But you need not trouble yourself about that, because she would not listen to it, and if she did, I should not allow it. Once is as good as a thousand times, and I tell you I will have nothing to do with lovers." "But, my dear Agnes, may not I now and then pass by your door?"

"Well, silly boy," says she, laughing, "can I hinder that? Is not the street as free for you as for another?" "Yes, but you know, cunning Agnes, what I want, which is to see you at the door." "That might possibly happen," said she, but if it did, you are not to speak to me, or I should take it very ill."

"No, you won't, my dearest Agnes.' "You shall find it so-only venture." This she said with a kind of peevishness which appeared to me affected; and with this, after the good-tempered youth had in vain begged for a kiss, which however he did not dare to press much for, from the respect peculiar to honest and heartfelt tenderness, the courtship of the evening ended. But what I thought a good omen in favour of the young man, was, that Agnes, having shut the door after her, opened it again as softly as possible in order to have a peep at him, and afterwards as softly shut it. "Ah! sweetest maid, my flame approve, And pardon an impatient love."

Ovid.

After this first attack of our apprentice on the heart of the good Agnes, I thought he would not fail to take his chance of renewing it on the following Sunday. In this I did not mistake; and in the afternoon as soon as service was ended, I beheld him slowly approaching, neatly dressed and his hair powdered, which greatly mended his appearance. But the poor lad's trouble was fruitless. Agnes's door and windows still remained shut, which, when he strolled past the

house for the third time, made him dejectedly cast his eyes up to heaven, as if in reproach for Agnes's cruelty and want of feeling. I am sure if the lass had seen him in that condition, she would have pitied him. However it was not her fault, as she was just gone out with her mother, a prayer-book under her arm, probably to attend evening service. My compassion was excited for the poor hopeless youngster, who, as all real and tender lovers always fear the worst, certainly fancied that Agnes disliked, and would never have a favourable opinion of him.

During the rest of the week I was either from home, or engaged, so that I learnt no more of the matter till the Sunday following; when, on returning from church, I saw the young man walk before me towards our street; but was surprised to find he accompanied a young woman, with whom he was earnestly discoursing. She appeared to be about the age of Agnes, and as pretty, but although not more fashionably, she was more expensively dressed, and wore various golden trinkets. I doubted not but his view was to outbrave Agnes, and to revenge himself for her crossness, by shewing her that he needed not be so much concerned for her, and although she slighted him, he could be well received by other girls, her equals at least. I followed them gently, and to my great astonishment saw this young couple knock at Agnes's door: this astonishment however subsided, when I heard him call the young woman sister. I then immediately understood the matter, and perceived that James must have acquainted his sister with his distress, and that love had inspired him with sense enough to discover that there could be no means more certain of obtaining access to his sweetheart, than by making the two girls acquainted with each other. Whether this visit was under pretence of bespeaking some linen, or that the coast was already clear, I know not; but I perceived that the door was opened by the mother herself, and brother and sister entered, the latter a little startled, the former as pale as death, and doubtless with a palpitating heart. After they had stayed about an hour, I could hear that they rose to depart, and I went immediately to my window. When the door opened I heard the mother say, "Well then, Agnes, 't is charming weather, I have no objection, child; but do not stay out long." "No, mother," was the answer, "as Kitty desires me, we

shall only take a turn, and be back in half an hour." On this they marched off, and really returned within the time.

Agnes was going to knock, but was prevented by her gallant, who, in the most moving tone, begged to take leave with a single kiss. Notwithstanding he appeared to have greatly forwarded his suit, I doubt whether he would have succeeded, if sister Kitty had not interfered. "Well, my dear Agnes," said the friendly girl, "that is no such great matter, any young lass will readily grant so slight a favour, even to a stranger who has seen her safe home: besides a kiss is nothing, if you don't like it, wipe it off." Upon this Agnes submitted, and I counted distinctly by the smacking, that it cost her three kisses, the first, as I firmly believe, she had ever granted to a man, and which I do not think the enraptured James would have missed for three thousand florins. Since that day Kitty visits her new friend at least three times a week; her brother never fails coming to fetch her home, and when the weather permits, takes a walk with his sweetheart: pleading the cause of his honest love, even in presence of his sister.

Not only my maid-servants, but also all the women in the neighbourhood have discovered the whole affair, and knowing James to be a sober young man, and in circumstances that the girls would be glad of him for themselves, as well as the mothers for their daughters, speak spitefully of the imprudence of my neighbour who suffers such an intercourse. One of my maids even told me that some of them, under pretence of friendship, had been trying to persuade Agnes's mother that James could not mean honourably, and that, if he did, his father, who is proprietor of several houses, and master of a lucrative profession, would never permit his only son to marry a girl without any fortune: but our dame, who does not want sense, coolly thanked them for their advice, begging that they would not trouble themselves about her affairs, which she was very able to manage without their interference.

It is hardly to be imagined how much our young man is altered, since his suit goes on so swimmingly. He is as close as a rose-bud, and though he was formerly a mere milk-sop, with his head hanging, his arms and legs used for no other purpose than to work, and change his place, he now marches as erect, and with as easy an air as most young men : his hair is neatly and fashionably cut,

his hat cocked, and although he wears the same clothes, they appear to fit him very differently. His method of speaking is no longer the same, and his tongue is loosened and voluble.

It is exactly the same with Agnes: all her features, however beautiful, were dull and unmeaning, from her innocence and insensibility; at present they are animated and expressive, and her bright eyes begin to learn their proper language, and at times shoot forth glances, unexpected, and heretofore unknown to them. Perhaps I may be asked how I became acquainted with this total change in the manners of these young people, which I shall shortly answer. I soon learned that James's father was a man with whom I was well acquainted, having served him in my character of counsellor many times with success, which caused him frequently to solicit my advice and assistance in other affairs not relative to my profession.

One day I received an unexpected visit from the good old man, purposely to know my opinion about his son's courtship. "You have so frequently successfully assisted me, Mr. Counsellor," said he, "that I trust you will not refuse hearing me now, about a matter of importance to me. You certainly know, as the whole neighbourhood talks of it, that my son courts your neighbour Agnes. He is crazy after her, which is no wonder; we have been in the same situation-and I must say, that he is so careful, so orderly, that he pleases me and his mother so well, that we should be sorry to cross his inclinations, which would certainly render him miserable, and perhaps lead him to the grave.

"You probably are acquainted with your neighbours, and may be able to inform me what they are."-I now thought the good man wished to know if the girl had any money, so that I answered him "that I did not think they possessed much; that, as far as I could see, the young woman had plenty of clothes, but that I did not not suppose that the mother could give her daughter any marriage-portion." "I did not ask you that," replied my honest client; "the daughter herself told the very same thing to James at the first outset, and that is a matter of indifference to us; the sweetest money is what one earns one's self. My son understands his profession and is industrious: I shall shortly let him exhibit his masterpiece, and undergo his examination; and between you and me, I have with care and economy accu

mulated much more than people think for; I only want you to tell me whether Agnes conducts herself with propriety, and especially if she is good-tempered, for my James is a sheepish boy, and if he married a vixen it would break his heart. This, however, I cannot believe of the girl, pleasing as she is: our Kitty is almost as much in love with her, as her brother is, and my dame is already as fond of her, as if she were her own daughter." I answered him, "that his and his family's friendship could not be better bestowed than on Agnes; that I durst venture to be answerable for her good temper, that she was well-educated, and that, although I could in my house hear almost every thing that was going forward next door, I had not, during six years, heard the least noisy word between mother and daughter; that she was as dutiful as possible to the old lady; and as to neatness and economy, my neighbour was well grounded in both, and that her daughter, sensible as she was, must have learnt the same from her. In a word, that I did not doubt but James had made an excellent choice, and would with Agnes be a happy man."

"Well, I am heartily glad you give the girl such a good character," said the worthy man, "but do not you think it better the young folks should wait a year or two before they marry? at present I fear it would only be children's play.'

"No, my dear neighbour," said I, "that is not by any means my opinion. These matters must not be kept drawling, or we risk their non-completion through envy and slander. I would immediately bring every thing to a conclusion, and the sooner the better."

"Well, then, Mr. Counsellor, it will be best to conclude the wedding directly: but I have one request to make you, which I hope you will not refuse: I have invited Agnes and her mother to dine with us to-morrow. Our aunt will likewise be of the party; one of these days, the children will inherit a pretty sum from her, but it is better to wait, than to fast for it, for she may, as you know, bequeath it from them. So much for this. My request is, therefore, that you partake of our meal, and then we may come to some resolution on the subject. You will not be sumptuously entertained, we know nothing of such things; we shall send some ribs of beef to the oven, and my dame will prepare a dish of gray pease, and some other trifles; at any rate there will be enough."

I was much pleased with this invita

tion, and promised that I would certainly attend at the hour appointed. "We found to make a happy party, A cheerful face, and welcome hearty. As I endeavour to avoid the repetition of unnecessary compliments, when I visit my friends, 1 never am the first comer of the guests, so that I suited myself to the precise dinner-hour of my worthy client, and made my appearance with the first dishes. I was the only person waited for, and I do not remember to have been received any where with more natural tokens of unfeigned regard. The company consisted of Agnes and her mother, and the family, which, with myself and the old aunt (whose presence I thought a good sign), made the number eight. The old man took my hand, which, from mere frank-heartedness he squeezed roughly. His dame came and offered me her lips, which I kissed with a loud smack, as well as those of our aunt, who mumbled ten times that I was heartily welcome.

For this slightly disagreeable job, I was amply made amends, by three kisses without guile, which each of the young girls exchanged for as many of mine, and which I enjoyed with less noise and more leisure than the former. Agnes, who doubtless knew I had used my best endeavours to forward the match, seeing me approach her, turned as red as scarlet, although her beautiful brown eyes appeared very friendly. But I cannot express the hearty kindness with which James received me, for the same reason: I could hardly loosen my hands from his. Had he not bethought himself, I really believe he would have kissed them, and his gratitude was plainly legible in every feature.

The father and mother in their Sunday clothes, looked neat, though only as common tradespeople. The aunt wore brownish tresses under her cap, which, like the rest of her dress, appeared to be at least half as old as herself. Agnes, sister Kitty, and the younger suitor, were in new clothes, a degree smarter than they had ever before worn; and the mother was dressed like a respectable citizen's widow, without any ornaments, but perfectly nice.

As she appeared to have been brought up rather better than the people of the house, I dare say she had given them both her advice and assistance towards arranging the table. Every thing was in exact order. The table-cloth was fine and large, and the napkins curiously

folded, with a roll of bread in each, On the side of every pewter plate lay a newfashioned knife, with a silver fork and spoon, which looked as if just come from the shop. Whilst I was making these observations, the first course was brought in, which consisted merely of a very large basin of broth, containing a knuckle of veal, with a dish of forced-meat-balls and sausages.

"Come friends," says the old man, "don't let the victuals cool, but take your places, if you please."

"Let me manage this," says the mother, "I shall soon settle the matter as it should be: Mr. Counsellor is a bachelor, he shall sit between the girls; James next to Agnes, then the widow, and aunt, and we shall find our places.' So said, so done; and in a minute this skein was unravelled and wound up. Agnes, her mother, and I, immediately took something on our plates, in which James, who, like the others, had begun to sip the broth from the basin, imitated us, instigated by Agnes, who softly said to him, "fie, James!"

After the soup was removed, a large sirloin of beef was set on the table, between two dishes of gray pease, a salad, and stewed apples. "There, my friends, you see the whole," said the father; "there is a venison-pasty in the middle, and the more you eat, the more pleasure you will give me. After this hearty compliment, as I found nobody ventured to attack the beef, I, although an indifferent carver, undertook to help the company, which I did to their satisfaction. James, who saw his beloved, her mother, and me, eat with a fork, being upon his guard, after his mistake with the spoon, likewise tried to do so, and, considering it was his first essay, succeeded tolerably; indeed, what cannot love teach! The father took notice of his son's dexterity, "well, my lad," says he, "where have you learnt to eat with a fork? and you do it well too! well, keep to that new fashion. I I would do so likewise, were I not too old to alter my habit; I have not been accustomed to it. Your mother and I, my boy, (never forget it, in whatever station you may hereafter be), were brought up here in the orphan's hospital, and we have raised ourselves from the ground, without ever having, thank God! wronged our consciences, or any person; and, as we have saved a pretty penny for our children, we are very willing they should fare better than we did: Tell me what I am, and not what I was,' says the old

Dutch proverb; what say you, mother?" "Honour be to your heart, father," said the good woman, "we will not give ourselves out for what we are not, as many do who come floating on a straw: nobody has any claims on us, not even for a farthing.'

:

In the mean time James hardly ate or drank any thing, he satiated and intoxicated himself with gazing at his beloved. He eyed her incessantly, as if he beheld her for the first time in his life, or rather as if he should never see her again. One would have sworn he was deaf and dumb, except towards what related to Agnes. Although he certainly did not grudge her her dinner, he continually took hold of her hand, and looked at it as if he were going to eat it, but let go his hold ten times in a quarter of an hour, after one or other of the following reprimands :"Are you not ashamed, James ? be quiet, let me loose, what will people think?" upon which James immediately begged pardon, and the next minute was at it again. When the dishes, which were all good of the kind, were removed, the whole family, except Agnes and James, retired into the next room for a few minutes; and, as I only remained with the lovers, James, who had, instead of one, drank five or six glasses of wine to Agnes's health, transported with love, and overpowered with wine, took hold of his angel's arm and attempted to ravish a few kisses. But the sweet girl was much displeased, and pushed him gently aside.

"Is that well done, my dear Mr. Counsellor, now we have got so far?" said James with a distressed look. "Well, James," answered I, "the lass is not so much in the wrong, remember the old saying, 'Wise before people, and mad in a corner.'"-"In a corner," interrupted he, "that is worse; but, Sir, you are such a worthy man that I appeal to you, whether, as the bargain is now almost concluded, can there be any harm in her granting me a trifling favour now and then by way of earnest?" Hark, James,' was my answer, "Agnes behaves extremely well, for in general in these kind of bargains, the more earnest is given, the less they are stood to.' I had no sooner said this, to the great surprise of James, who thought it impossible for his patron to give it against him in a thing which appeared to him so very reasonable, than the company returned, and I, after having privately exchanged a few words with the father and mother, took my leave, as I had some pressing busi

ness to transact, but on condition of supping with them.

When I returned, I found my friends. in another apartment, playing a round game at cards, and was told that James had been continually making mistakes, as his thoughts were otherwise engaged. Soon after, we returned to the dining. room, where we found the table covered with the cold beef, a small ham, a salad, pickled herrings, smoked beef, butter and cheese, almonds and raisins, neatly placed. We seated ourselves as at dinner; our aunt, who seemed to relish the wine much, after declaring that the sight of the young people's courtship renewed her youth, began to sing: I took the opportunity, as much for my own sake as that of James, of asking the good old soul, if she did not remember any song of old times where kissing was mentioned.

She was immediately ready, and chaunted one in her best manner, wherein kisses were stuck as thick as hailstones. The girls, especially Agnes, were at first extremely shy, but I had no sooner assured them that such was the usual custom among the most virtuous girls, when the men did not behave too grossly, than James added, "see now, my dear Agnes, the gentleman himself says so, and every thing went on as smoothly as rain slides from a slated pent-house.' This game pleased me wonderfully well, but no tongue can tell how James fed in clover; his happiness was so great that it might be said he was hardly able to bear it.

When this had continued a little while the father knocked on the table with the haft of a knife; "Hark, my friends," said he, "there is a time for all things.

....

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Here the mother interrupted him, come husband, let me speak. You see, Mr. Counsellor, the young people are not averse to each other, my master and I do not object to their marriage, neither does Agnes's mother. Moreover our aunt is very fond of Agnes, and loves James so much that she thinks, and so do we, matters should be concluded, the sooner the better: but mention is made of marriage-conditions; with these we are unacquainted, and beg, as you have always been our friend, you will lend us your assistance."

"Hearken mother," said I, "I shall give you my sentiments candidly: what need we trouble ourselves about marriage-settlements? the young people love each other, and where heart and body are in common, money ought likewise to be So. "You express yourself well," said