still more surprising, how came she to be aware of that late visit to the fortune-teller ; but to her surprise he secret, which has been scarcely breathed even to my manifested little satisfaction at the circumstance, though own thought, much less to another ? It is certainly she was well aware he was deeply in love, and did not strange-very strange !" She pondered over it long and desire a greater boon than the hand of his lovely cousin. intently ; yet she could not wish the prediction false. She, however, attributed it to his ignorance of the sex, The veil seemed now lifted from before her eyes, and supposing, as was the case, that he disbelieved in the the whole prospect of futurity lay within view, while all supernatural wisdom of old Margaret, and augured unwas fair-bright as her most ardent hopes could wish ; favorably for his suit, from Sarah's apparent disapproval she loved her noble and generous-hearted cousin ; but of the fortune laid down for her. But she advised him, till now had not cherished the remotest idea that they however, not to despair, for she felt assured he was not would ever be married, for her dependent situation upon | all indifferent to her cousin ; and, perhaps, if he urged the kindness of her friends forbade the thought, and she his passion in connexion with the prediction which she had for this reason ever treated him with more reserve appeared to believe, he might not fail to win her. Enthan she really felt toward him, deeming it a duty to couraged by his sister's advice, he resolved to hazard his refrain from encouraging his evident affection for her. fate upon a single cast ; and by chance entered the parlor while Sarah was thus alone, and interrupted her CHAPTER III . musings. Such a favorable opportunity was not to be A FEW days after the visit to old Margaret, Sarah sat lost, and he determined to improve it to the best advanalone in her uncle's parlor, leaning her head upon her tage. 66 Have you discovered the donor of that boquet, yet, hand, and gazing listlessly from the window toward the sky. Her thoughts were wandering far away to her cousin ?" he inquired, advancing with a smile. She started at this question, but assuming an indifown native clime, and she sighed as the remembrance of the scenes of her early youth passed before her mind. ferent tone and manner, replied— 66 Oh, no ; I have not troubled myself at all about it. She saw the home of her childhood, looking like a fairy palace amid the orange groves, beneath whose . fragrant It was sent by some of my friends, I suppose, as a jest. shade she had strayed, and plucking bright blooming I do not know what else it could mean." This gave a dash to his spirits, for he fondly imagined, flowers in the unclouded gaiety of a glad heart that had known no sorrows, or felt no ills ; and it seemed to her his beautiful offering had found unbounded favor in an elysium, from which she had been driven by the her sight, and he could scarcely repress a sigh that relentless hand of fate, to wander alone, as it were, un- struggled for relief in his breast. But bearing up, he protected and dependent over a cold and selfish world. continued. From thence her thoughts reverted to her uncle's kind"I thought you were very much pleased with it, and ness -and her cousins' manifested affection for her, a eager to learn who sent it you, as it appeared to be such penniless orphan, living upon the bounty of their father, a rare one ." while her heart overflowed with a deep and yearning "I would like to know well enough ; but I receive so sense of gratitude toward them all, and her eyes became many gifts of the kind, that I forget all about them in a suffused with tears. But suppressing these emotions, she short time." strove to divert her thoughts to another subject, for she " And do you never think afterwards of the givers ?" knew it would deeply pain any of her friends if they he inquired mournfully. 66 should chance to find her weeping. Why should I care about them ?" asked Sarah The prediction of her future marriage with Frederick coldly, " they are nothing to me.” Somers made a deep impression upon her mind, and He now began to fear more than ever that the thought had a contrary effect from what might have been ex- of becoming his wife was displeasing to her ; but he felt pected upon her actions. She became suddenly distant it was time to learn the truth, for his impatient spirit and reserved in her manner toward him, for she feared could not brook suspense. that Isabel might imagine that she endeavored to assist "Would it displease you," he commenced, hesitain the fulfilment of the prophecy, and might not perhaps tingly, " to know that I took the liberty of sending you approve ofit. But these thoughts wronged her amiable that bunch of flowers ?" 665 You, cousin Frederick !" she exclaimed, starting and cousin, who was even then looking forward with delight in the anticipation of being endeared to her sweet blushing deeply, while her eyes sparkled with pleasure. Saade by nearer ties than those which bound them at He, however, stupidly attributed their flashing brilliancy present. to another cause, though he could not exactly underFrederick was pained by her change of manner, and stand what reason she had to blush. "Didyoureally ?" sought his sister to learn the cause of it, if possible from she asked with evident interest, forgetting at the moment her. Isabel unfolded to him the whole story of their her self-command.
