"And she is two months younger. A pretty time I shall have for six years; unless she takes it into her head to marry before she is of age. Very probably she will; for her fortune, although small, is large enough to attract some fool, too lazy to work, and too ambitious to remain poor." "Is she pretty?" "How should I know? I only saw her at her mother's funeral, where she got up quite a scene--fainting and such like. I came away the next day, and she was still too unwell to leave her room, they said." "Romantically inclined! Pity she should be doomed to uncongenial associations!" "You would indeed have profited little by my instructions if your mind were infected by these whimsies," said her parent, with a self-gratulatory air. "I pride myself upon your superiority to the generality of your sex, at least, in this respect"-- "There is a carriage at the door," interrupted the other, in an unvarying tone, and without changing her posture. The host met, in the entry, an elderly gentleman and a young girl, whom he saluted as "Mr. Hall" and "Miss Ross," introducing them to "Miss Read, my daughter." Ida glanced timidly into the face of her guardian, and then hastily scanned that of his daughter. That the scrutiny was unsatisfactory, was to be read in the deeper sadness that fell over her countenance, while the sinking lashes, and trembling lip showed how sharp was the disappointment. Youthful and inexperienced as she was, her heart told her that the bruised tendrils which had been torn from their original support could never learn to twine around these gelid statues. "You will remain to tea, Mr. Hall," said Mr. Read, as the good clergyman arose. "I thank you, sir; but our journey has been fatiguing owing to the extreme heat. I find myself in need of rest,--and my charge here requires it more than I do." "You will call before you leave the city. May we not hope for the pleasure of your company to dinner to-morrow?" The invitation was accepted; and after a silent pressure of the hand from Ida, and a courtly bow from father and daughter, Mr. Hall took his leave.