report, that he could not but feel compassionate.

Alarmed at the graver look, she crimsoned, exclaiming, 'O! I beg your
pardon! It was very rude.'

'No, no,' said John; it was absurd!' and vexed at having checked her
gladsomeness, he added, 'It is I rather who should ask your pardon, for
looks that will not make a cheerful figure in your description.'

'Oh, no,' cried Violet; 'mamma told me never to say anything against
any of Mr. Martindale's relations. What have I said?'--as he could not
help laughing--'Something I could not have meant.'

'Don't distress yourself, pray,' said John, not at all in a bantering
tone. 'I know what you meant; and it was very wise advice, such as you
will be very glad to have followed.'

With a renewed blush, an ingenuous look, and a hesitating effort, she
said, 'INDEED, I have been telling them how very kind you are.
Mamma will be so pleased to hear it.'

'She must have been very sorry to part with you,' said he, looking at
the fair girl sent so early into the world.

'Oh, yes!' and the tears started to the black eyelashes, though a smile
came at the same time; 'she said I should be such a giddy young
housekeeper, and she would have liked a little more notice.'

'It was not very long?' said John, anxious to lead her to give him
information; and she was too young and happy not to be confidential,