should not be sorry to sacrifice his liberty for the hand and probable fortune of Clara Rivolta. It was indeed a truth, and a sad one it is to tell of any of our species, that while he was flattering Miss Henderson, and paying constant and unremitting attention to her, he was far from any intention of a serious nature, and he absolutely did by her means endeavour to make himself agreeable to Clara. Towards her he was serious, not however from sentiment but from selfishness. He saw, however, that so far as the mother of the young lady was concerned, there was no hopes of success; but he had some hopes from the young lady and from the old gentleman: they were accessible to flattery. To Mr. Martindale, therefore, did the crafty one address himself. He introduced such topics as pleased the old gentleman, because they gave him an opportunity to display his wisdom and indulge his humor. He talked of the follies and frivolities of the fashionable world, and said much concerning the good old times. He expressed his great dislike to late hours and French cookery. In short, he so pleased the old gentleman, that he was urged to dine with their family party. Now a very good and ample opportunity was offered him for saying and looking all that might be agreeable to Clara and to Mr. Martindale the elder. To the old gentleman a very handsome and well-turned compliment was paid on the title lately conferred on his relative. To Clara little was said directly, but much indirectly. To Colonel Rivolta very little was said, for he was not a talking man. He was very quiet, inoffensive, not very extensively informed, having a profound respect and veneration for the superior wisdom and good sense of his lady. His ordinary occupation was smoking, sometimes he would take snuff. People wondered that so superior a woman as Signora Rivolta should ever have accepted the hand of such a dull common-place man as the Colonel. But what is the use of wondering: there is in fact nothing wonderful in the matter; it is the most ordinary and every-day occurrence. It is as common as day-light to find couples thus unequally yoked. Perhaps the Signora loved rule, and found that the Colonel was very tractable. Perhaps the Signora loved talking, and found the Colonel very silent, but not deaf. Perhaps the Signora loved admiration, and found the Colonel disposed to look with reverence on her superior mental powers. Perhaps the Signora thought that she might not have another offer. Perhaps the Signora thought that a quiet simpleton was better than a prating one. Perhaps the Signora did not like diversity of opinion, and therefore preferred a husband who had no opinions at all. Perhaps the Signora did not know any better than we do what were the motives which actuated her. But we beg of our readers that they would not trouble themselves to wonder at the matter. Ten thousand are the affairs and events of ordinary occurrence, at which nobody wonders and for which nobody can account.