me sufficient to cause my worst fears as to the imprudence of you both. She has since confessed all to me, and I am come this evening to see you myself, and to know what you mean, and when you will perform your promise of marrying her.'
'My good woman,' answered the deceitful fellow, 'You quite take me by surprise: my dear little Mary knows that I love her, and will do all in my power to make her happy.' 'All that is very fine, and may do to deceive her, poor thing, but it wont do for me. Do you mean to marry her or not?' He seemed to hesitate for a moment, and then said he could not do so at present without his father would give his consent. 'I hear,' resumed Betty, 'that you are about to marry Miss Seedman!' At this he burst into a laugh, and said, 'What a ridiculous idea: such a thought never entered into my head. I think her the plainest girl in the village,—to me she is quite disagreeable. Besides, do you suppose for a moment I would ever think of any other than my own dear little Mary.'
"At this juncture I walked leisurely towards the spot, and passed before the party. I only wish you could have witnessed the expression on the countenance of my would-be husband (for he actually made me an offer of his hand, only a week ago, with a solemn assurance that he never did, and never could love any but me.) I shouted a laughing 'good-night' to each, walked briskly away, and here I am."
Notwithstanding Amy's affected calmness, I could per-
