Beautiful, sad ditties of the brilliant past! not he who writes would have you lost from memory, for all the modern world of music. Kind madrigals! which have an aroma of the former day in all your cadences and dear old fashioned trills--from whose dim ghosts now, in the faded volumes stored away in garrets and on upper shelves, we gather what you were in the old immemorial years! Soft melodies of another age, that sound still in the present with such moving sweetness, one heart at least knows what a golden treasure you clasp, and listens thankfully when you deign to issue out from silence; for he finds in you alone--in your gracious cadences, your gay or stately voices--what he seeks; the life, and joy, and splendor of the antique day sacred to love and memory! And Verty felt the nameless charm of the good old songs, warbled by the young girl's sympathetic voice; and more than once his wild-wood nature stirred within him, and his eyes grew moist. And when she ceased, and the soft carol went away to the realm of silence, and was heard no more, the young man was a child again; and Redbud's hand was in his own, and all his heart was still. The girl rose, with a smile, and said that they had had quite enough of the harpsichord and singing--the day was too beautiful to spend within doors. And so she ran gaily to the door, and as she reached it, uttered a gay exclamation. Ralph and Fanny were seen approaching from the gate. CHAPTER LXV. PROVIDENCE. Ralph was mounted, as usual, upon his fine sorrel, and Fanny rode a little milk-white pony, which the young man had procured for her. We need not say that Miss Fanny looked handsome and coquettish, or Mr. Ralph merry and good-humored. Laughter was Fanny's by undoubted right, unless her companion could contest the palm. Miss Fanny's first movement, after dismounting, was to clasp Miss Redbud to her bosom with enthusiastic affection, as is the habit with young ladies upon public occasions; and then the fair equestrian recognized Verty's existence by a fascinating smile, which caused the unfortunate Ralph to gaze and sigh. "Oh, Redbud!" cried Miss Fanny, laughing, and shaking gaily her ebon curls, "you can't think what a delightful ride I've had--with Ralph, you know, who has'nt been half as disagreeable as usual--" "Come," interposed Ralph, "that's too bad!" "Not for you, sir!" "Even for me." "Well, then, I'll say you are more agreeable than usual." "That is better, though some might doubt whether that was possible." "Ralph, you are a conceited, fine gentleman, and positively dreadful." "Ah, you dread me!" "No, sir!" "Well, that is not fair--for I am afraid of you. The fact is, Miss Redbud," continued Ralph, turning to the young girl, "I have fallen deeply in love with Fanny, lately--" "Oh, sir!" said Redbud, demurely. "But I have not told you the best of the joke." "What is that?" "She's in love with me." And Ralph directed a languishing glance toward Fanny, who cried out: