involuntarily, and seizing Ellen's hand, "admirable being!" he exclaimed, "your enthusiasm cannot be taken from youpersevere and," he added, in a softened and tremulous voice, "God shield you from the shafts of the careless, the cruel, or the envious."

Ellen certainly felt a glow of gratitude and delight that there was one who perfectly understood her: such sympathies are well compared to the perfect accords of fine instruments. She had hardly uttered a fervent "thank you, Mr. Westall,' before a sudden feeling of the awkwardness of her conspicuous situation came over her ;-her natural timidity had been controlled by stronger feelings, but now yielding to it, she abruptly left the room to seek the shelter of her own apartment.

Westall's last words to Ellen were still

ringing in Caroline's ears. "I trust, Sir," said she, addressing herself to him, "that you did not mean to do me the

honour to class me among the ' careless, cruel, or envious?' "

"Oh no, my sweet Caroline," exclaimed Mrs. Westall, "how can you ask such a question: he did not indeed -you did not, my son-of course you could not?"

Westall did not second his mother's earnest defence; he merely said coldly, "that he hoped Miss Redwood was not conscious of deserving to be so classed."

"Lord bless me !-no," replied Caroline, “I had not thought of hurting the girl's feelings; who could have dreamed that she was listening at the door? But you know the old proverb, Mrs. Westall, 'listeners never hear any good of themselves." "

"That is too often true, my love," replied Mrs. Westall.

"Mother!" exclaimed Charles Westall, in a tone that savoured of reproach, but had still more of grief than resentment in it; and then unable to endure

any longer his mother's sycophancy, and perhaps unwilling to expose his own emotion, he left the room.

"Shame on you, Caroline!" said her father.

"Now really," interposed Mrs. Westall," I do not see that Caroline is at all in fault: how could she divine that Miss Bruce was within hearing ?-indeed, my dear Sir, it was mere pleasantry on her part. It is a pity Miss Bruce, who appears so amiable, should tell such an incredible story; no one can believe it, you know, unless it be Charles. It is just like him to be taken with such romance; it was my dear husband's greatest fault; but I own, Caroline, I am shocked at Charles's inadvertence; I am sure it was unintentional."

"It is quite indifferent to me, whether it was or not," replied Caroline, pouting, and evidently far enough from the stoical feeling she professed. Mrs. Westall perceived that this was not a propitious

moment, and whispered to Caroline that Charles should do penance by going home at an hour so much earlier than usual, she took her leave, and returned to the village with her son. This was the first time that their return had not been animated by a conversation about Miss Redwood. This evening her name was not mentioned-neither spoke of the scene at the cottage, nor of Ellen's extraordinary disclosure. They mutu ally understood that their feelings did not harmonize, and both maintained silence. When they parted for the night, Charles kissed his mother, as was his custom, tenderly; and as he closed the door she heard him sigh deeply. She regretted that she had pained him, but she thought it a pity that he had such peculiar feelings.

CHAPTER XI.

"I'll be so bold to break the seal for once."

Two Gentlemen of Verona.

As soon as the Westalls were gone, Caroline rose to leave her father's room.

Stop for one moment, my child," said he, I hope that the experience of this day and evening has taught you, if not to be more generous in your judgments, to be more careful in the expression of them. I think you cannot fail to learn this lesson from the story of the blind child, which has furnished the solution to those mysterious morning walks, and that more mysterious night's absence which perplexed you so much, while you had nothing else to employ your thoughts upon."