leaves of her music-book with the ready devotion of an admiring amateur. Helen always played well, but less well than usual that day, for her generous nature felt abashed. It was as if she was showing off to mortify Violante. But Violante, on the other hand, was so passionately fond of music that she had no feeling left for the sense of her own inferiority. Yet she sighed when Helen rose, and Harley thanked her for the delight she had given him. The day was fine. Lady Lansmere proposed to walk in the garden. While the ladies went up-stairs for their shawls and bonnets, Harley lighted his cigar, and stept from the window upon the lawn. Lady Lansmere joined him before the girls came out. "Harley," said she, taking his arm, "what a charming companion you have introduced to us! I never met with any that both pleased and delighted me like this dear Violante. Most girls who possess some power of conversation, and who have dared to think for themselves, are so pedantic, or so masculine; but _she_ is always so simple, and always still the girl. Ah, Harley!" "Why that sigh, my dear mother?" "I was thinking how exactly she would have suited you--how proud I should have been of such a daughter-in-law--and how happy you would have been with such a wife." Harley started. "Tut," said he, peevishly, "she is a mere child; you forget my years." "Why," said Lady Lansmere, surprised, "Helen is quite as young as Violante." "In dates--yes. But Helen's character is so staid;--what it is now it will be ever; and Helen, from gratitude, respect, or pity, condescends to accept the ruins of my heart;--while this bright Italian has the soul of a Juliet, and would expect in a husband all the passion of a Romeo. Nay, mother, hush. Do you forget that I am engaged--and of my own free will and choice? Poor dear Helen! Apropos, have you spoken to my father, as you undertook to do?" "Not yet. I must seize the right moment. You know that my lord requires management." "My dear mother, that female notion of managing us, men, costs you, ladies, a great waste of time, and occasions us a great deal of sorrow. Men are easily managed by plain truth. _We_ are brought up to respect it, strange as it may seem to you!" Lady Lansmere smiled with the air of superior wisdom, and the experience of an accomplished wife. "Leave it to me, Harley; and rely on my lord's consent." Harley knew that Lady Lansmere always succeeded in obtaining her way with his father; and he felt that the Earl might naturally be disappointed in such an alliance, and, without due propitiation, evince that disappointment in his manner to Helen. Harley was bound to save her from all chance of such humiliation. He did not wish her to think that she was not welcomed into his family; therefore he said, "I resign myself to your promise and your diplomacy. Meanwhile, as you love me, be kind to my betrothed." "Am I not so?" "Hem. Are you as kind as if she were the great heiress you believe Violante to be?"