"I must confess," said Cornelia, "that a restless, impulsive sort of energy impresses me far more; there is a strong life in some characters. that seems to lift and carry my spirit out of, and beyond its own sphere, into a purer and higher atmosphere."

"And to such a character yours would form an excellent balance," returned Mary.

"Hardly," said Milly. "Cornelia is impulsive and enthusiastic enough herself, naturally; but she has learned to control her enthusiasm. Now, Oscar, what do you think about it?"

"I prefer some difference of tastes. It would make more variety; and I should wish my wife to have affection enough to enter into my pursuits, mind enough to appreciate all that is true and beautiful, and independence enough to have an opinion of her own."

"Fond enough of you to enjoy your company when she can get it, and independent enough to take care of herself," said Frank. "Now give me a wife who cannot take too good care of herself, but thinks my care the

best in the world, and who is ready to greet me with a happy face, at any hour in the fourand-twenty."

"You would not be content with a smiling wax doll, master Frank, any more than I should. You would wish your wife to have

some sense.'

"I have no objection to that," answered Frank, "provided always she will consider me as A. No. 1."

"How melancholy," sighed Helen, "to see so young a man such a confirmed egotist!"

This led to some good-natured banter on the subject of egotism and jealousy.

"Now, there's Marion," said Milly, "for all her dignity, would be as jealous and exacting as any one. Woe betide her poor husband if he bows very politely to any other lady."

Marion laughed, and said she certainly should not like him to bow as low to any one else as he did to her.

"Have you really a jealous disposition?"

"Rather, I'm afraid; but still I do not con

sider jealousy any proof of strength of attachment."

"Most jealous persons do, I believe, and so justify it."

"I think, on the contrary, that it indicates a want of confidence in the affection or constancy of our friends, that seems inconsistent with the truest attachment."

"I believe you are right," said Mary. "I am always most inclined to be jealous of those whom I love, but am not sure of. But mamma will think I have forgotten that there is such a place as home."

Mrs. Lester's house was very near Dr. Wood's; so that when Mary had spent the evening at Mrs. Sumner's she generally walked home with the doctor and Marion, with whom she had formed a strong friendship.

Mary Lester was very much changed. Adversity had checked her in the career of dissipation she was pursuing, and roused all the noble qualities that were lying dormant in her soul. Her mother's weak health had thrown

the great burthen of cares upon Mary, whose high spirit seemed to take a sort of pleasure in meeting and overcoming difficulties. She was energetic and fearless, and her intercourse with society had given an ease and decision to her manner, with a ready insight into the characters of others, very unusual in one so young. She might have been in danger of growing imperious in manner, had she not possessed a most loving heart, and a frank, candid spirit, which could not rest under the thought of having given pain to any one she loved.

Mrs. Lester, who had feared her changed circumstances, more on Mary's account than her own, and that she would sink into repinings at the withdrawal from society which must ensue, was surprised and consoled to find that she had an unfailing comforter in her daugher, whom nothing seemed to discourage.

The next morning Marion was at work in the laboratory, when her uncle's old clerk handed her a recipe, which required much care in preparing. It was a peculiar and very

expensive medicine, and at the foot of the recipe were written a few words in Latin, which the patient would certainly suppose were the usual cabalistic signs; but which signified, "Charge the patient one-fourth, and the rest to Floyd."

me.

As Marion finished the preparation, her uncle came in, and she handed it to him with the recipe. The doctor smiled.

"That is an old habit of Dr. Floyd's, when he has been called to some one who is really in straitened circumstances, yet removed out of the class of charity patients, and who need expensive medicines, which they are ill able to afford. A physician can, in such cases, avoid sending a bill; but he can rarely, in long-continued illness, furnish the medicines also, without wounding the feelings of his patient. So Floyd has frequently adopted this method with those whom he cannot serve more directly."

"What considerate kindness !" exclaimed Marion.

"Yes, he is one of the finest fellows I know