Alice Lansdale and Margarette Claremont were both orphan nieces of the wealthy bachelor Mr. Claremont, with whom they resided. The former was the daughter of his only sister. Her parents died when she was quite young, and consigned her, destitute of property, to the care of her uncle, with whom she had now resided several years. Margarette was the daughter of his only brother. She had been an orphan but few months, during which period she had been domesticated in the family of Mr. Claremont, to whom had been committed the guardianship of herself, and her ample fortune. "Have you nearly got through with your play, Alice?" said Margarette, as she re-entered the parlor. Alice made no answer, as she sat with her head leaning on one hand, her book spread on the table before her,--while the other hand held a handkerchief that was ever and anon applied to her eyes. Margarette advanced, and leaned on the back of her chair. "How much longer are you going to read, Alice?" asked Margarette. "Why can't you be quiet, and leave me undisturbed?" said Alice. "Because I have something to tell you," answered Margarette. "About goody Mason's lame finger, I suppose," said Alice. "No--about two elegant looking young men I saw in the street an hour since,"--said Margarette. "Who were they?" enquired Alice, without raising her eyes from her book. "I do not know,--but from your description, I conjectured them to be your cousin Hubert and the _Black Prince_, as you call him." "Why did not you tell me this before?" said Alice, springing on her feet. "They will be here immediately; cousin Hubert at least,--and here I am, looking like a fright, with eyes as red as a toper's! Why could you not have told me when you first came in?" "I had been talking with Susan Hall, and forgot it," said Margarette. "And after all, perhaps it is not them." "O, I know it is!--they were expected very soon. But tell me how the one you took to be the Black Prince looked, and I shall know at once if it was him." "Tall--yet hardly as tall as his companion--with black hair, black eyes, and an acre of black whiskers; and--pardon me--a dash of impudence in his expression--at least I thought so, as I passed him." "O, it must be him," said Alice, "though if it be, the latter part of your description is only your own imagination. But why do I linger here, when I must try to make myself look decent to see them? for cousin Hubert, at least, will come,"--and she left the room with a sigh. Scarcely half an hour had passed ere Alice was summoned, according to her expectations, to meet her cousin, and Mr. Gordon, the _Black Prince_. The young men made a long call,--for Alice had much to ask them of what they had seen and learned, during their absence; and they had much that was interesting to communicate. They had scarcely closed the door behind them, after taking leave, ere Alice exclaimed-- "Is he not a divine creature, cousin Margarette?"