hold myself bound to satisfy any reasonable wishes on the part of the happy youth that wins you.  Circumstances hastened my marriage somewhat unexpectedly, or I should certainly have informed you previously, and requested your presence at the nuptial ceremony.  We have secured a beautiful house in Brooklyn, and shall expect you to join us as soon as your present year expires, Laura sends her kindest regards, and I remain, as always, your sincere and affectionate brother, GEORGE SOMERS.’

“Not long after the receipt of this letter, one of the instructresses, in the institution where I resided requested the favour of a private interview.  She then said she knew something generally of my position and prospects, and, as she had always felt an instinctive interest in my fortunes, she could not see me leave the place without seeking my confidence, and rendering me aid, if aid was in her power.  Though surprised and, to say the truth, indignant, I simply inquired what views, had occurred to her with regard to my future life.

“She said, then, very kindly, that although I was not very thorough in, any branch of study, yet she thought I had a decided taste for the lighter and more ornamental parts of female education.  That a few months earnest attention to these would fit me for a position independent of my connexions, and one of which none of my friends would have cause to be ashamed.

“I am deeply pained to own to you how I answered her.  Drawing myself up, I said, coldly,

“’I am obliged to you, madam, for your quite unsolicited interest in my affairs.  When I leave this place, it will be to join my brother and sister in Brooklyn, and, as we are all reasonably wealthy, I must try to make gold varnish over any defects in my neglected education.’

“I looked to see my kind adviser entirely annihilated by these imposing words, but she answered with perfect calmness,

“’I know Laura Wentworth, now Mrs. Somers.  She was educated at the North, and was a pupil of my own for a year.  She is wealthy and beautiful, and I hope you will never have cause to regret assuming a position with regard to her that might be mistaken for dependence.’

“With these words, my well-meaning, but perhaps injudicious friend, took leave, and I burst into a mocking laugh, that I hoped she might linger long enough to hear.  ‘This is too good!’ I repeated to myself—­but I could not feel perfectly at ease.  However, I soon forgot all thoughts of the future, in the present duties of scribbling in fifty albums, and exchanging keepsakes, tears, and kisses, with a like number of very intimate friends.

“It was not until I had finally left school, and was fairly on the way to the home of my brother, that I found a moment’s leisure to think seriously of the life that was before me.  I confess that I felt some secret misgivings, as I stood at last upon the steps of the very elegant house that was to be my future home.  The servant who obeyed my summons, inquired if I was Miss Rankin, a name I had never borne since childhood.