"Dear mother, can you ask that question?-can you believe me so mean as to wed for wealth and rank?"

"You dislike Lord L., then?" said Mrs. F.

"Oh! no; I think him an amiable and agreeable young man, with much good sense, and high and honourable feeling. I have never met with one I would more gladly hail as the husband of my sister, had I one; but dearest mother, I can never love again; my heart lies in the tomb of Albert."

Tears flowed abundantly as she concluded, and for some time they were both silent. At length Mrs. F. resumed. "I have, I believe, Emily, always been a kind and tender parent to you."

"You have, you have, indeed!" interrupted her daughter.

"And I have never been unreasonable or unjust. Emily, were Albert living, I would not urge you to marry another, though a reigning sovereign should ask you for his bride. But, he is gone, and since Lord L. is not personally disagreeable to you-since you know and appreciate his many amiable and estimable qualities, I beseech you not to refuse the happy and brilliant position which is now offered to you. I am aware that a young and ardent girl imagines that it is necessary to be violently in love when she marries. You say you can never be so more; but trust me, my dear child, respect, esteem, and regard, will make you as happy as, or even perhaps happier than, love could do."

Did Mrs. F. believe her own words? I doubt it; at any rate, she failed to convince her daughter. But I will not detail the many conversations which took place between the ladies; suffice it to say, Emily agreed that her mother

E

should see Lord L. the following day, and explain to him her feelings.

When her elder son returned that evening, Mrs. F. was closeted with him for some time. He told her he was sure Lord L. was in total ignorance of Albert ever having existed; and strongly urged her not to mention to his lordship the circumstances of his sister's attachment.

"Of course," added he, "Emily feels at first a little dislike to form a new engagement. It is natural, since it recalls more vividly the memory of poor Albert. He was a fine, noble fellow, and any girl might have liked him ; but L. is also an excellent young man; he is besides handsome and rich, and Emily will soon insensibly become attached to him. I would let her imagine he knew all her former history, whilst, in fact, I would tell him she was not prepared to give a decided answer at present, and keep him in a little suspense, at the same time giving great hopes (which I think you reasonably may) of a final satisfactory reply."

Mrs. F. highly approved of her son's scheme, and acted accordingly. Some months afterwards, Lord L., who had continued his visits, again besought Miss F. to become his wife. His letter was a rare specimen of ardent affection, and good sense. Had it by any accident fallen into the hands of an uninterested stranger, it would, unlike the generality of love letters, have failed to excite a smile of derision. This epistle had its due effect with Emily; and her relatives so strongly urged her, that she at length gave her consent. She now strove as much as possible to banish all remembrance of other days. Lord L. was fond of