and that it might not be delicate to press him.

"Before you leave us," said the good clergyman, "will you not permit us
to know the name of the young gentleman to whom my daughter is indebted
for the rescue of her dove?"

"We are as yet but strangers in the neighborhood," replied the youth:
"my father's name is Osborne. We have not been more than three days in
Mr. Williams's residence, which, together with the whole of the property
annexed to it, my father has purchased."

"I am aware, I am aware: then you will be a permanent neighbor of ours,"
said Mr. Sinclair; "and believe me, my dear boy, we shall always be
happy to see you at Springvale; nor shall we soon forget the generous
act which first brought us acquainted."

Whilst this short dialogue lasted, two or three shy sidelong glances
passed between him and Jane. So extremely modest was the young man that,
from an apprehension lest these glances might have been noticed, his
pale face became lit up with a faint blush, in which state of confusion
he took his leave.

Conversation was not resumed among the Sinclairs for some minutes after
his departure, each, in fact, having been engaged in reflecting upon the
surpassing beauty of his face, and the uncommon symmetry of his slender
but elegant person. Their impression, indeed, was rather that of wonder
than of mere admiration. The tall youth who had just left them seemed,
in fact, an incarnation of the beautiful itself--a visionary creation,
in which was embodied the ideal spirit of youth, intellect, and grace.
His face shone with that rosy light of life's prime which only glows on