self for my profession, I spent two years at a University in Germany and then returned to my native land. My good fortune brought me to this place just before I formed your acquaintance, and the rest you know. I have long wished to make this relation, not only for the relief it brings, to make another the confident of our secret sorrow, but also to show you how little we know of the faults of the wisest and best in some unguarded moment of their lives, and how our errors as well as our virtues, may be the stepping-stone to a higher order of perfection."
The sympathy excited in Rosalind by this narration imparted an unwonted degree of tenderness which shone in every act and word through the day. The admiration before felt for Ernest was increased to unbounded reverence, feeling the force of his implied admonition to reconcile her to herself and the world. A new expression appeared on her countenance, not physically so animated, but more spiritually beautiful, which betokened a calm pensiveness of experience as if she had opened a new page in the book of life, interesting as well as affecting, and prophetic of life's great purpose.
This infused more of seriousness in Walter's reception, than she had anticipated, but not in such a manner as to impair the enjoyment of the occasion, rather enhancing its interest. When the other surprises were over, Ernest improved a favorable opportunity to bring on his.
Walter and Rosalind were quietly chatting together on the sofa after tea, when he entered with a picture which he handed to Walter, saying, "Here is a
