"Well," said Mr. Egerton, "I am perfectly willing to trust Bessie to make her own choice, now that she is old enough to judge for herself. We will leave the matter to time to settle." Time justified Mrs. Egerton's previsions. Wallace Cuthbert did not disappoint the high expectations that had been formed of him, and was soon able to claim Bessie's hand as a reward for his assiduity and devotion to his profession. "I think you may thank the 'Lady's Book' for Bessie's constancy," said Mrs. Egerton one day to Mr. Cuthbert. "If it had not been for some such suggestive memorial, I am afraid she would hardly have resisted all the attacks made upon her." "Very likely," said Mr. Cuthbert, smiling. But, though his words expressed such proper humility, in his inmost heart, with that generous self-appreciation so unusual perhaps in his modest sex, he attributed the love and the patient waiting of Bessie Egerton entirely to his own peculiar merits. Peter's "earthly hopes _were_ suspended." THE WILD FLOWERS OF EARLY SPRING-TIME. "There is at times a solemn gloom Ere yet the lovely Spring assume Sole empire, with the lingering cold Content divided sway to hold; A sort of interreign, which throws On all around its dull repose; Dull, not unpleasing; when the rest Nor snow, nor rains, nor winds molest; Nor aught by listening ear is heard Save first-fruit notes of vernal bird, Alone, or with responsive call, Or sound of twinklings waterfall; Yet is no radiant brightness seen To pierce the cloud's opposing screen, Or hazy vapor to illume The thickness of that solemn gloom." MANT.