and, observing Edward, desired to know, with an unusual degree of sharpness in her manner, "if he had nothing better to do than to be idling his time away there?" Adding that Mr. Layton was inquiring for him in the office. Edward left the room without a word; he would have spoken, but Susan, fearing that at that time it would only irritate her mother, motioned him to go in silence. As soon as Mrs. Thomson supposed he was out of hearing, she began to talk about undutifulness and. ingratitude; but seeing the big tears standing in the eyes of her child she was softened, and said with kindness, "perhaps I ought not to blame you, but in truth I am so perplexed that I scarce know how to act," saying this, she wiped her eyes, and Susan for the first time perceived that they had been full of tears.

"My dear mother," said she, "why are you thus grieved? I am sure Mr. Layton has too good a heart to act ungenerously towards you on my account."

Whatever fear Mrs. Thomson might secretly have to the contrary, it was evidently her interest, for the progress of her heart's desire, to speak in his praise, she therefore replied, "my child, I am not grieved for myself, I know he is too good to resent any wilfulness of yours towards him, upon me; but when I see him wretched and unhappy, and know that you are the cause of his being so, I should ill disguise my feelings could I lead you to suppose I should not grieve for him."

"My dearest mother," said Susan, "I cannot think you will have occasion to grieve in such a cause, for I have ever understood that the disconsolate lover is only to be found in thoughtless youth and childish old men: surely Mr. Layton has too much good sense to be classed with either of them."

"I know not," said Mrs Thomson with an air of despondency, "disappointment changes the

nature of men very much; there may be much to fear should you continue in your present resolution."

"And can my dear mother," inquired Susan, with much emotion, "wish me to alter it, when she knows that my heart and happiness are really concerned in adhering to it?"

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You are young, Susan," replied her mother, "and through inexperience mistake the shadow for the substance. Believe me, your love for Edward, which you think so sincere and lasting, is only a childish passion, light and fantastic as a dream. I would have you rational and thoughtful for your future welfare."

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"My dear mother," said Susan, “I shall be very sorry to see you grieve, but I cannot help expressing my firm belief that all you can say, either in anger or kindness, will not make me feel less partiality for Edward; yet, for your happiness, I am ready to give you my word that I will never become his wife without your consent."

"Susan, Susan!" said her mother, “your thoughts are full of rashness, but come, let us argue the matter without anger or deception. Suppose I did approve of your intimacy with Edward, I could not for many, very many reasons consent to your marriage for some years; with Mr. Layton the case is very different, yet I would not attempt to persuade you to the match, but that I am satisfied he is very fond of you, and

"Pray do not talk to me about it," interposed Susan, "This is both ungenerous and ungrateful,” said her mother;" what has Edward done, that even in conversation he is to be preferred before Mr. Layton? From which have we received the greater benefits? Can there be a doubt, or a shadow of a doubt, about the answer? Do we not owe every thing to Mr. Layton ?"

"Pray do not call me ungrateful," said Susan, with the tears streaming from her eyes, for indeed,

indeed, I am not; my heart is full of acknowledgment to the goodness of Mr. Layton: it throbs towards him as to a father or a kind benefactor; but-"

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you

Well, well," said her mother, interrupting her, "if you feel all this, it surely cannot harm much to listen to what I have to say." "Mother!" sobbed Susan, "I could listen to you all day with untiring pleasure, if you would speak of his goodness as you ever did until last night."

"I was not aware," said her mother, "that I had adopted any new method in speaking of ́his goodness."

I mean," again sobbed Susan, “if you did not couple it with that proposal which sounds so hateful to me."

Hateful! Susan," said her mother, in a tone of surprise.

Perhaps Susan had spoken out rather plainer

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