"Nonsense, child, I promise you they were more taken up in looking at Miss Russell, than in thinking of you. Sleep, for they are to come this evening, and I know Cornelius would like to take you down for an hour." I did my best to gratify her, and soon succeeded, and the same evening I was dressed and wrapped up, or rather swathed like a mummy, said Cornelius, as he carried me down in his arms. He had scarcely laid me on the couch in the parlour, when Deborah announced "Miss Russell." A pretty head, with drooping ringlets, peeped in, and as suddenly vanished. "Pray come in, Miss Russell," said Kate, rising. "You are engaged," lisped a soft voice behind the door. "Not at all, pray come in." "You--you are at tea, then." "We shall not have tea for an hour, pray come in." "I would rather come some other time," said the little voice, still speaking from the door, but rather more faintly. "Surely my brother does not frighten you?" "Oh no," faltered the timid speaker, in a tone that said, "Oh dear yes, precisely." Kate rose and walked to the door. We heard a giggle, a little suppressed denial, and finally saw Miss O'Reilly re-enter the parlour and lead in the bashful creature. Miss Ducky was in a state of bewitching confusion and under-her-breath modesty. "She came to know how the little girl was-- so glad she was well again. Sit down! Oh no, she would rather be excused." She spoke with girlish fluency of easy speech, with many a gentle toss of the glossy curls, and glancing of the bright dark eyes that looked everywhere save in the direction of Cornelius. Kate was vainly pressing her to sit down, when the fair creature was further alarmed by the entrance of Mr. Smalley and Mr. Trim. In her confusion she flew to the bow window instead of the door--"was astonished at the mistake--so absurd--quite stupid, you know," and stood there blushing most charmingly, when Kate at length persuaded her to sit down. By this time I had received the congratulations of Mr. Smalley and Mr. Trim, both of whom looked with some interest and curiosity at Miss Ducky. There never was such a little flirt. The introduction was scarcely over when she attacked Mr. Trim with a look, Mr. Smalley with a smile, and Cornelius with look, smile, and speech, and having thus hooked them, she went on with the three to her own evident enjoyment and delight. Mr. Trim, whom the ladies had not accustomed to such favours, seemed exulting, and indulged in the most unbounded admiration. After warning Miss Ducky that she need not mind him, he edged his chair nearer to hers, and peering in her face, asked to know the number of hearts she had broken. "I broke a cornelian heart the other day," she replied, demurely; "I was so sorry." "Could it not be mended?" innocently asked Mr. Smalley. "I don't know," she answered, childishly, "I did not try; I used to wear it round my neck--it is in a drawer now." "Poor heart!" compassionately said Cornelius.