“Oh! I saw plain enough,” said the divinity, with one of her unconscious, baby-like smiles. “What are you ladies talking?” said Carryl Ethridge. “Oh, secrets!” said Belle Trevors. “You are very presuming, sir, to inquire.” “Mr. Ethridge,” said Lillie Ellis, “don’t you think it would be nice to promenade?” This was said with such a pretty coolness, such a quiet composure, as showed Miss Lillie to be quite mistress of the situation; there was, of course, no sort of design in it. Ethridge offered his arm at once; and the two sauntered to the end of the veranda, where John Seymour was standing. The blood rushed in hot currents over him, and he could hear the beating of his heart: he felt somehow as if the hour of his fate was coming. He had a wild desire to retreat, and put it off. He looked over the end of the veranda, with some vague idea of leaping it; but alas! it was ten feet above ground, and a lover’s leap would have only ticketed him as out of his head. There was nothing for it but to meet his destiny like a man. Carryl came up with the lady on his arm; and as he stood there for a moment, in the coolest, most indifferent tone in the world, said, “Oh! by the by, Miss Ellis, let me present my friend Mr. Seymour.” [Illustration: “Let me present my friend, Mr. Seymour.”] The die was cast. John’s face burned like fire: he muttered something about “being happy to make Miss Ellis’s acquaintance,” looking all the time as if he would be glad to jump over the railing, or take wings and fly, to get rid of the happiness. Miss Ellis was a belle by profession, and she understood her business perfectly. In nothing did she show herself master of her craft, more than in the adroitness with which she could soothe the bashful pangs of new votaries, and place them on an easy footing with her. “Mr. Seymour,” she said affably, “to tell the truth, I have been desirous of the honor of your acquaintance, ever since I saw you in the breakfast-room this morning.” “I am sure I am very much flattered,” said John, his heart beating thick and fast. “May I ask why you honor me with such a wish?” “Well, to tell the truth, because you strikingly resemble a very dear friend of mine,” said Miss Ellis, with her sweet, unconscious simplicity of manner. “I am still more flattered,” said John, with a quicker beating of the heart; “only I fear that you may find me an unpleasant contrast.” “Oh! I think not,” said Lillie, with another smile: “we shall soon be good friends, too, I trust.” “I trust so certainly,” said John, earnestly. Belle Trevors now joined the party; and the four were soon chatting together on the best footing of acquaintance. John was delighted to feel himself already on easy terms with the fair vision. “You have not been here long?” said Lillie to John. “No, I have only just arrived.” “And you were never here before?” “No, Miss Ellis, I am entirely new to the place.”