the old lady knew that it was desirable for both of them-for her master and Maggie-" that this thing should be put a stop to," as she said. The old lady said to herself, that "master did not care for any one, not even for her, so much as for one of his big books;" and if the old lady had any jealous dislike of anything, it was of a certain big book, which I believe was Du Cange's "Dictionary of Middle and Infamous Latin:" as some wags have called it-one of those big books which her master was always poring

over.

The housekeeper contrived one day, just before dinner, to send out Maggie on some message to Count Casimir's lodgings, resolving, after dinner, to enlighten her master as to Maggie's nascent affection for him. "A sweet child that, sir," said the old woman, as she lingered after dinner, and was invited to take a glass of wine;

"Yes, Mrs. Goodall, she is, and very quick at her learning; much quicker than I ever expected her to be."

“I'm afraid, sir, she doesn't care so much for her books as she does to please somebody.”

"I hope not, Mrs. Goodall. I assure you that's all nonsense, utter nonsense, that story about Count Casimir and her. The young man only did what I should have done, if I had been in his place. Poor thing, what she must have suffered amongst those barbarians!"

"No, sir, I don't mean Mr. Casimir."

This remark of the old lady roused Mr. Thurston, who had hitherto given but an indifferent attention to what his housekeeper had been saying. He began to think that Mrs. Goodall had really found out the true state of the case, and had discovered (women are so sharp, he said to himself, in finding out about this rubbish) that Lord Glenant was in love with Maggie. But then he said to himself, Maggie herself does not know that. And then, aloud, "You women are always thinking about love and marriage, as if they were the only important things in the world; and you fancy that when any young man makes a civil speech to

any young woman, he is forthwith going to ask her to marry him. My good old friend, people don't love so often in the course of their lives." Here he sighed; and the old lady said to herself, "Poor master!" for she had not lived with him so many years without finding out that he had once been desperately in love.

But she replied, "It was not any young man I was thinking of, sir."

"What do you mean, Mrs. Goodall? Don't speak in riddles. Surely you don't think that Mr. Brockenhurst, the great political economist, who is the only middle-aged gentleman besides myself that Maggie has seen much of, is in love with Maggie, and she with him ?”

"No, sir. It's the other gentleman." "Good God, woman, you don't mean me !" "But I do, though; and now the murder's out, and I've told you the truth, master.”

"Nonsense, nonsense! How can a woman of your years and your good sense talk such folly."

No woman likes to hear her years alluded to,

even though the unpleasant allusion is qualified by hearing praise of her good sense. Accordingly Mrs. Goodall, rather in a huff, changed the subject, and shortly after left the room. But she by no means left Mr. Thurston's mind as much at ease as when she began the conversation. He was a very acute man, even in matters of the world, when he gave, which was rarely, his full attention to them. Many little traits of Maggie's conduct towards him, unnoticed before, now intruded themselves upon his thoughts. Before he had finished thinking of the subject, he had come to a conclusion not very different from that of his housekeeper.

This conclusion was most unwelcome to him. He was really frightened at it. He saw more clearly than ever what a loving and loveable girl Maggie was. He could not help thinking what a good thing it would be for the Lochawes if Glenant were to fail in winning Maggie's affections; but he could not sacrifice herself, and himself, and his recollections of the past, to gratify the pride of the Lochawes. In justice

to Mr. Thurston it must be said, that his first and main thought was of the sacrifice that it would be of Maggie, if he were to allow her, for what he thought to be a mere passing fancy, to ally herself to a man of his age, who had only a small portion of the heart to give her. Finally, he resolved to be very cold to Maggie, and, though not diminishing his kindness, to show her that he was a tutor and guardian, and certainly not a lover.