"Miss Patsey's parlour really looks neater and smaller than ever," observed Harry. "And I don't think I have seen such an honest, good-natured, pleasant face as her's, since I left Longbridge. She seems satisfied now, with the idea of Charlie's being an artist." "She is resigned to it, rather," said Elinor, "now that the matter is entirely settled." "Charlie looks pale," observed Harry; "he has grown though, and he is no longer so very slight as he used to be." "He seems to be well," replied Elinor; "but at times his spirits are not good. He has been much interested in your movements--quite anxious about your return." "Charlie is a right good fellow," said Harry; "I was in hopes to see a great deal of him, this winter." At this moment Jane dropped a glove; of course Harry picked it up, and he continued silent after doing so. "There, you see, is Mr. Taylor's new house," observed Elinor, as an opening in a grove of young trees allowed a full view of a house of some size, and very great pretensions. Jane looked at the home of her friend Adeline with interest--Harry exclaimed, "What architecture!" "Don't abuse it," said Elinor, "for I assure you 'Mr. Taylor's splendid mansion'--'Mr. Taylor's magnificent seat' is very much admired." Just as the party reached the piazza of Wyllys-Roof, Mr. Taylor's barouche drove up to the door, and in an instant Miss Adeline Taylor had thrown herself, and her fashionable morning-dress, into Jane's arms. "I was so glad to find you were staying here!" she exclaimed. "Pa and I only arrived from Saratoga last night; I did not expect you for a month to come." "We had a very short passage for the season," said Jane, returning the embrace quite cordially. "We seem to have taken all our friends rather by surprise, Miss Taylor," said Harry. "Well, if I had been in your place, I should have staid in Paris till the last minute;--though, I dare say, YOU were in a hurry to get back to Longbridge, Mr. Hazlehurst; no doubt you wanted to see ME very much. Put I wonder that Jane did not contrive to stay there." Harry looked a little embarrassed, and Jane, too, coloured a little; though there seemed to be no very good reason that either should do so. "Did you find Saratoga pleasant, this summer, Miss Taylor?" asked Elinor, drawing a chair near the bench where the two friends were sitting, hand in hand. "Oh, delightful!--Every house full, from the cellar to the garret. How often I wished for you, Jane! if it was only earlier in the season I would make pa take us there again, just for the pleasure of showing off your new French fashions--you would be the greatest belle of the season." "We need not inquire who was the belle," said Elinor; "such important news reaches even sober, home-staying people like us."