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woman's story; it is the first, second, and third requisite for perfection in the good wife, as you, of course, intend to be. So do not flatter yourself, Amy, that you will ever have your own way again."

"But, suppose, Fanny, that his way should be my way; there would be no submission then on either side."

"That reminds me," said Fanny, "of the German couplet we learned the other day:

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Rely upon it, when you disagree, (and that will happen,) you must always yield, right or wrong."

"I do not grant this. If Edward should ever wish me to do wrong, I shall not feel bound to comply, but think I do him more honor by a refusal, than by a submission for which I am sure he would and ought to despise me."

"Very pretty, and apparently very just, Amy; but let us see by-and-by. You are so heartily in love with Edward now, that you cannot think he will ever desire any thing wrong; but he is a man, and he is human."

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"So I supposed, when I engaged to marry him. I do not think either of us expect perfection."

"But, if I were you, I should, as long as possible, require it of him, and insist upon his thinking me nothing short of divine. Now is your time, Amy; make the most of your short reign."

"O, Fanny! Fanny! I hate to hear you talk so. If it were only girlish rattle, I would laugh at it, and forget it; but I fear that there is something seriously wrong at the bottom of it all. I fear that you are now trifling with your own happiness, as well as that of another, under the influence of these unworthy notions. It was to speak to you upon this subject, that I wanted to see you this morning.”

"And so," replied Fanny, "while I flattered myself that you had sent for me to tell me a very pretty love story of your own, and that I was to be that important personage, a confidant, upon the occasion, and know the month and the day when nobody else did, you, forsooth, only sent for me to favor me with a lecture, followed, I suppose, by some of those agreeable didactic remarks, which most of my kind friends are pleased so gratuitously to bestow upon me."

"Are you not ashamed of such nonsense, Fanny?"

"Ashamed of nonsense, Amy! Why, I am in love with it. It is as important as my daily bread to me. All other pleasures, all other friends, are uncertain, unfaithful; but nonsense always more than fulfils its promise, and is an unfailing help in adversity."

"I have no objection to nonsense, Fanny, in its right place; but there are occasions where trifling is a sin-where we should be guided only by reason and conscience."

"Well, Amy, do n't look so very sober, and I will be good for a little while, for your sake. I love you well enough to tolerate the presence of reason, if she does not bring her knitting-work, and invite herself to pass the whole day with me. What would reason say to me now, Amy?"

"Reason would ask," said Amy, "whether you are acting right towards William Roberts. You understand me now, Fanny."

"O, yes, perfectly well, Amy; I see what you are after. Excuse me; you remind me of the fox, who, having been unluckily caught in a trap, and there curtailed of some of his honors, (pardon this atrocious pun,) cunningly called together the other foxes of

his acquaintance, and advised them, seriously, with their eyes open, and of their own free will, to submit to the same cruel operation which a sad chance had inflicted upon him. Thank you, my dear Amy; when I am also caught, I will certainly take counsel of you." "Try to be serious, Fanny. I have something to tell you that I think you have too much heart to laugh at."

"Well, now, Amy, I will be as solemn and well-behaved as if I was just engaged."

"I hear from Edward," said Amy, "that your friend, William Roberts, is going to Europe."

Fanny started. "Going to Europe! Why, it was but a short time since, that he told me that he should never again leave his own country; and he said some pretty things about his untravelled heart, &c. What is he going for?"

"To get rid of an aching heart, if he can, and, if possible, recover a healthful tone of mind."

Fanny's face reddened all over, and then grew very pale. She tried in vain to hide her emotions at this intelligence.

"I am sorry," said Amy, "to see you suffer; but the remedy is in your own hands."

"What can I do? What would you have me do?

"Be simple-be true."

"And ask him to please not go to Europe, but to stop and marry me! I would die first."

"I would have you do nothing unfeminine nothing inconsistent with your true dignity; but I would have you faithfully question your own heart, and then be true to yourself and to him. From what I know of your real feelings towards Mr. Roberts, I fear you have coquetted with him; and forgive me, Fanny, if I say that it will be happy for you, if some sacrifice of your pride is the only punishment you receive. It is, surely, no slight suffering, that can make such a man willing to give up his all his habits of life.

country, and change

Edward agreed with

his friend, that it was impossible that you could really love him; and surely, Fanny, if I did not think your fault was mere levity, I could hardly forgive you. He intends going in a few days."

Poor Fanny sat like one condemned. Amy continued:

"It was his intention to go away without seeing you again; he thought the interview would be too painful for him; but I told

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