lives, of the two sisters, which rendered them extremely interesting to all who knew them intimately and it is not surprising that Harold, with all the keen senses of perception about him, alike free from effeminate frivolity and that aristocratical petulancy which prevailed with some of his family, should soon discover that the society of the Herberts was infinitely more rational and agreeable than the tiresome routine of feasters and fashionables who came to kill time with sumptuous idleness, and laugh at the folly while they enjoyed the hospitality of his parents.

Harold's mother was by no means desirous of cultivating an intimate acquaintance with any person whose name would not add eclat to her parties, either at table or on paper, or in the other alternative, become entirely subservient; while the vicar, on his part, saw the greatest possible objections, on more solid grounds, to his daughters forming such an intimacy. Yet, though he was as much above all cant and pre

tensions to despising people from envious motives, as he was of courting the society of the wealthy, merely on account of their possessions, he was glad to be on those terms which admitted of occasional visits, not only for the purpose of preserving harmony in his parish, but also to afford him means of persuading those who had the most power, to do the most good in it.

CHAPTER II.

He hath of marks about him plenty,
You shall know him among twenty :
All his body is a fire,

And his breath a flame entire,

That being shot like lightning in,

Wounds the heart but not the skin.

BEN JONSON.

"WHY is love like the Niger?" said Harold's singular brother, who had observed him riding more frequently than usual to the vicarage, and blushing when Emily Herbert's name was mentioned. "Love like the Niger?" repeated the half-conscious Harold; "let us see'tis in the heart of an unexplored countryit's source cannot be discovered-it is full of dangers, and has been the death of hundreds

it is in a warm and poisonous climate-every one knows where it ends, but none where it begins. Will any of these definitions serve you?" said our hero." The last is the best illustration," answered his brother, casting a most arch and curious look from the corners of his

eyes; and off he sallied, leaving Harold to meditate on a passion which had already taken possession of his breast.

There was a straight-forward, open manliness in our hero's conduct and manners, which had won the esteem of Mr. Herbert; but he was not slow in perceiving his friend's growing attachment to his daughter; and, knowing the exalted views of his family, he determined at once to put a stop to all farther intercourse, till he should obtain the sanction of his parents; and on Harold expressing his intentions to him, he frankly replied,

"You do us great honour, my friend; but however much my natural feelings towards you might lead me to approve your addresses to my

daughter, remember there is a distinct command to honour your parents,' which neither you nor I can alter. It is your duty to abide by this, and it is mine to encourage you to do so."

The following day brought an illustration of his brother's simile of the dangerous Niger.

He was standing with his mother at the library window, when the two Miss Herberts, who were not aware of what had passed between their father and Harold, drove up to the door.

"Here come the parson's couple of sanctified blues," said the coarse rich lady: "what can be driving such irksome mopes here this morning? I thought we had done with them for this season at least, as we shall leave for town tomorrow."

My dear Madam,”—said Harold, colouring deeply, as a defensive speech hung on his lips; but before he could proceed, the two young ladies entered the room.

"My dear Louisa! my dear Emily!” said