so sometimes, even if she were not to believe it all? What a pity he had not been present to see how such things were done by the best society; he was so diffident of his own attainments, and so willing always to learn, that she was sure he would have been able to pick up a grace or two while looking on. Perhaps he might have been even persuaded into wearing a moustache in future, when he heard how it improved a bass voice. With a moustache now, and his large eyes to help, he would look almost like a foreigner; more so than Mr. Van Trump even, though of course not so good-looking. But then he was so good; yes, if not handsome, he was certainly good, very good to her, Miss Mary thought, before falling asleep.
If Elkhart had not had some good in him, as Mary Jones had admitted; and more than that, if he had not been so much in love with our pretty heroine, that even the self-respect which lies at the bottom of all worth had no opportunity to assert its claim to consideration, perhaps the hints thrown out by Mrs. J., in person, would have been received for the daughter's own aspirations at second-hand, and his chair at the widow's supper-table and accustomed place in her little parlor, have remained thenceforward forever untenanted. But although such was really the state of things at first, the lapse of twenty-four hours brought a change in his views. He even began to judge himself unreasonable, and to be contrite accordingly. Why should she not ride with a friend on occasion? The fact of her doing so, under the circumstances, showed a familiar confidence in his affection which he was sorry to feel himself unworthy of. Could he have seemed more a Bluebeard if he had been indeed her husband, and she anything but the angel she was? What did it matter if he should be occasionally compelled to listen, in common with sweet Mary Jones, to this Van Trump's flippancies? they both would understand the true value of the coin in which he dealt, and not be deluded by its glitter, as Mrs. Jones was. He could afford to smile now when he recalled that lady's hints and inuendoes. At least, however, he would make amends for his late ill-humor, this true lover thought, by leaving his angel free to fly about with whom she would, to ride when she willed, and be as happy as the day was long. For himself, he would look on and enjoy her happiness, which would be the best
