"Whatever be the name you give it, Julia, you are
very near and dear to me," said the aunt, tenderly
kissing her charge: "but tell me, my love, did you
ever feel such emotion in your intercourse with Miss
Miller?"

It was some time before Julia could reply; when,
having suppressed the burst of her feelings, she
answered with a smile--

"Oh! that question is not fair. You have brought me
up; nursed me in sickness; are kind and good to
me; and the idea that you should suppose I did not
love you, was dreadful--But you know I do."

"I firmly believe so, my child; it is you that I would
have know what it is that you love: I am satisfied
for myself. I repeat, did Anna Miller ever excite
such emotions?"

"Certainly not: my love to you is natural; but my
friendship for Anna rests on sympathy, and a
perfect knowledge of her character."

"I am glad, however, that you know her so well,
since you are so intimate. What testimony have
you of all this excellence?"

"Innate evidence. I see it--I feel it--Yes, that is the