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A SEQUEL TO SAINT LEGER.

A MERRY Company were gathered at the cottage of George Fluellen. Of this we had abundant proof before we came up; for from open doors and windows, sounds of hilarity almost boisterous greeted our ears, so that I was not surprised on entering to discover a dozen young persons, of both sexes, beside the Fluellen family. It was evident they had not assembled by appointment or invitation, but had casually called, until the number was really formidable. It was quite impossible for me to comprehend what was going on. Macklorne stood in the centre of the room, as if for the purpose of better defending himself against the witty attacks which were made from every quarter- more especially from the feminine portion of the company. Of these, none seemed more zealous than Henrietta, who, as I entered, was letting off a sally which produced the most obstreperous laughter, in which Macklorne was fain to join, but which had no effect upon a very pretty, modest, sweet-looking young creature seated by the side of Josephine Fluellen, unless to make her shrink farther out of sight, under cover of her friend, who was placed so as partially to screen her from the rest. As soon as he discovered me, Macklorne ran forward and seized my arm, and before I knew what he was about to do, drew me toward his former position in the middle of the apartment.

'Now,' he exclaimed gaily, 'I am reinforced, and will set you all at defiance. I can prove my innocence by my friend here.'

'Oh, can you indeed!' cried Henrietta, mockingly. A fine road to justice you would make for us, with one criminal to swear to the innocence of the other!'

As I understood nothing of all this, I proposed very gravely, that, considering the odds we had to encounter, we should retire and hold a council before another conflict.

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No, indeed!' cried Henrietta.

This would only be giving the conspirators an opportunity to plan another plot. Let us first get at the bottom of this. A capital thought strikes me: they have had no opportunity to confer together; let us interrogate Herr-Herr-do forgive me, but your name?—I really shall never remember it.'

"For shame!' said Josephine; 'you remember Herr Saint Leger's name as well as I do; it is not a moment since you pronounced it.'

'And how well do you remember it, my sweet sister?' replied the other, running up and whispering the question in her ear, in the most confidential tone, but loud enough to be heard by every one in the room. This caused a general laugh at the expense of my favorite, who bore it with admirable humor, and seemed well satisfied in this way to draw attention from the pretty creature next her.

Still I gained no clue as to what was going on in this fun-loving company. I seized the opportunity, therefore, to step forward, and place myself in a vacant seat by the young Frau, Herr Fluellen and his wife having just left the room, and insist upon an explanation of the tumult. 'I am the one to ask questions-you to answer them,' replied this

inveterate tease. Your friend there is on trial—it is of no consequence to you for what; he knows, and that is sufficient. He has called on you as a witness; to this we agree; therefore please take your stand in your former position.' I obeyed. 'Now, witness,' continued the mad creature, 'let me advise you to speak the truth. You cannot save the wretched man

with whom you are now confronted, for we are, by his own confession, abundantly satisfied of his guilt; but according to the custom of the land it is proper that this should be confirmed by testimony; we have seen fit to invoke it; answer truly as I shall inquire:

'You came from the village of Thun?'

'No.'

'Good. You came from Unterwalden, and spent the night at a châlet at the foot of the Grand Scheidegg

'I did not say that,' interposed Macklorne.

'Silence. I say it; gainsay who dare; do not interrupt again,' exclaimed the Frau, in a severe tone. You will answer.'

'Where we came from, most gracious judge, would be as difficult for me to inform you as to announce in what direction lies our journey hence, for I am a stranger in these parts. But in truth I must declare that we did spend the night near the foot of the Scheidegg, and in a chalet, consequently not in Thun.'

'But you were invited to proceed to that place? You see I know all.' 'Not from me,' again interrupted Macklorne. A menacing gesture was his only punishment, and I replied:

'I believe we were asked to join a gentleman who lived in that village, and who was walking homeward.'

'And what excuse did you or your companion give for not joining him?'

'None that I am aware off.'

'Recollect yourself.'

'I do perfectly. I answer confidently. No excuse was given.'

'Were the names of any ladies mentioned by the worthy Herr who extended this invitation?'

'I object,' said Macklorne, with inimitable gravity, 'to the introduction of third parties into this trial. I will cheerfully submit to the sentence, whatever it is, but I cannot permit others to be compromised.'

"Then it would compromise others, should an answer be given!' cried Henrietta, triumphantly. 'Well, we have only to say then-Guilty, GUILTY, GUILTY!' Of what?' asked Macklorne, pleasantly. Of what?" shouted the company. Of what?' I inquired, with an air of real curiosity. The delicate, child-like creature, whom I have twice mentioned, drew herself still closer to Josephine Fluellen, who gave her a sympathizing look while she whispered some kind word into her ear.

Guilty of what?' rang round the room.

'On due consideration, repeated Henrietta, solemnly, and appreciating the object as I do,' (she looked archly toward the same sweet girl who had attracted so much of my attention, and who was blushing crimson,) 'I cannot say Herr Macklorne has been guilty of any thing unreasonable or unwarrantable; and he is honorably discharged from custody. Now for a dance. Herr Macklorne shall be our first partner, as an evidence

that he has lost nothing in our estimation.' A most mirthful acquiescence went round. Macklorne gracefully kissed the hand of the fair judge, and led her into the room, and partners were soon on the floor. I hardly know why, but my confidence deserted me just as I was about to ask Josephine to be my partner. I secured, however, a charming, naïve-looking girl, who proved to be entertaining and agreeable. Josephine Fluellen did not dance. I asked myself several times why she did not; perhaps it was because I could not finish the answer satisfactorily, and when I looked round again, she, with her timid companion, had left the room. Neither Macklorne nor I remained through the evening. Before we came away, Henrietta, laying aside her brusquerie, thanked us with easy politeness for our visit, and besought us to spend as much of our time as we could at her cottage. We returned to our own quarters, leaving most of the guests still amusing themselves.

Singularly enough, we encountered Josephine Fluellen walking arm in arm with her friend, in one of the pleasant walks of the garden adjoining the house. Macklorne stepped familiarly toward them, and taking the hand of the young stranger, 'Mademoiselle Annette,' he said, 'let me present to you my friend Saint Leger, a friend in all sincerity, and in the fullest acceptation of that much abused-word.' She seemed no longer the timid, shrinking thing I had seen, but a young maiden modest and retired, yet not wanting in a proper confidence. She received me with kindness and without embarrassment, yet with a natural delicacy and reserve. After standing a moment in conversation, it was the most natural thing in the world to resume walking, and if possible, it was still more natural that we should proceed in couples; and as Macklorne, without giving me any opportunity to choose my companion, walked on with Mademoiselle Annette, I found myself once more side by side with that superb young woman, Josephine Fluellen. I say, 'found myself,' for I have no distinct recollection of how I gained that position, and therefore have resorted to a process of reasoning, to show how it must have been gained. But I do remember that so it was. For the second time I was walking close by her. At that very minute the moon rose above the Finister Aar Horn, and shed its rays down upon the glistering firnirs, and along the fearful chasms of the glacier, and across the green belt of verdure which surrounds them, and over the forests - deep, dark, interminable forests, and through the beautiful valleys, and across the gulfs, and torrents, and cataracts, and rocks, and precipices, and along the wild dashing streams, and over the still quiet meadows, with houses and gardens and pleasant walks-upon all these shone the moon; a common matter enough, doubtless; yet just then and just there, as I was looking up and around, I was filled with awe: for an instant the earth seemed to revolve visibly, and a shudder passed across me. 'The scene impresses you?' said Josephine Fluellen, gently. I turned and looked at her. No pencil can paint the deep enthusiasm which beamed in those fine eyes-eyes which shone in the moon-light with a brilliancy that seemed supernatural.

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'The scene impresses you?' she said.

'Deeply.'

Upon me it always produces an effect strange but indescribable; not lessened, but rather increased as I become familiar with it.'

'Is this not invariably the case with objects of real sublimity, if regarded with an appreciating spirit?'

'I think so; and yet how common is the remark, that the grandest subjects fail to produce any very strong emotion, as soon as one becomes accustomed to them.'

'And the observation is generally true of those who make it. For the multitude experience on such occasions merely a feeling of surprise, which becomes more faint at every succeeding prospect.'

'I never drew that distinction, but it is a very satisfactory one. I can not reconcile myself to the idea that the most powerful effects produced by the grand and the sublime are to be attributed to astonishment and surprise. Nothing of these do I now feel, or have I ever felt, when regarding this-I know not what to call it.' And my companion gazed around, as if searching among the elements for a term which should adequately express her thoughts. Macklorne, with the pretty Annette, had wandered away toward the other side of the garden. We were left alone together. Josephine Fluellen was the first to discover it; for, after a moment, she said, 'Where have our friends strayed? Let us seek them :' and we proceeded.

For the first time, it occurred to me that there might be something more than an ordinary acquaintance between Macklorne and his fair companion, and I was thus reminded that I had as yet no explanation of the scene at George Fluellen's. I immediately asked Josephine Fluellen to tell me what was the meaning of it.

'Only one of Henrietta's projects to tease Annette,' she replied.

'I thought Macklorne appeared to be the party under ordeal,' I said. 'Do explain.'

'True; but you observed how Annette was affected by it?'

'Yes; but who is Mademoiselle Annette?'

'Do you not know?' said Josephine Fluellen, with an air of surprise. 'No.'

'Has not your friend informed you? Did he never mention Annette Lindhorst?'

'Never. By the way, Annette Lindhorst? Can she be the niece of the worthy naturalist?"

'By adoption: her history is a romantic one. Your friend should have been more communicative. I am surprised he never explained to you.'

'It was because he relied on your kindness to save him from a revelation which our sex are not very free to make. Positively, he referred me to you for explanations of every kind.'

Indeed! I was not aware that I had so much upon my hands: pray, what other explanations have you to demand?'

'Oh, none at present; but whenever a mystery arises, or something that I do not understand perplexes me, you are to be - in short, I am to apply to you for

I think I understand you, and I am indebted to Herr Macklorne for this responsible office.'

'If you so regard it. He said you would explain, or at least that I might apply to you.'

'I fear you will be sadly disappointed. You expected to find some person of superior age and discretion, whose words should have the effect

'I must endeavor to reconcile myself to the reality.'

'And I will endeavor, since you show so much consideration, to discharge the duties of my new office acceptably.'

'You will tell me then something about Mademoiselle Annette, for her appearance interests me beside, if she and Macklorne are friends, I am still more curious. In the mean time, I do not understand the sport at the cottage. I did not arrive until it had commenced.'

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'It was simply this. Henrietta accused Herr Macklorne and Annette of planning a meeting here. Both insisted that it was accidental. One my father's laborers chanced last night to be at the châlet where you lodged, and Henrietta heard his report of two gentlemen, whom he saw there; and when Macklorne mentioned his meeting with Dr. Lindhorst, Henrietta took it for granted that he would certainly have accompanied the doctor to Thun, had he not been informed by him that Annette was here. This began it, and you saw how it ended; but my poor Annette is so sensitive that she is an easy victim to one disposed to tease.'

'So far I understand. Now please to tell me something of this sweet girl, whose history you say is so romantic.'

'It is too late now: see, our friends are going into the house, and we should follow. I am glad that you are impressed so strongly by this moon-light view. If you rise early, you will find still another phase to For there seems to be a prospect peculiar to each part of the day. Good night!'

the scene.

And she left me standing on the threshold, looking out on the scene, but thinking not of it, nor of Annette and the promised history, nor of Macklorne and his fortunes, nor of myself, nor of Theresa Van Hofrath, but only of Josephine Fluellen.

Somebody laid a hand upon my shoulder: it was Macklorne. At that moment his presence was not acceptable: his invariable, easy, cheerful mood did not suit with what was then passing within me: but I repented in season, and met his smile with a hearty expression of my obligation to him for bringing me into so charming a family.

'You do not know them yet,' he replied; 'words cannot express their praise this you will feel more and more. I am pleased that you are satisfied from the first. Shall we not bid our hosts good night? Here every one is up with the dawn. If we expect to follow the example, I fancy we had best retire.'

Without farther remark on either side, we sought our separate apartments.

I had every incentive to adopt the hint of my friend, to take advantage of the first 'breath of morn;' but I should certainly have failed to do so had it not been for Macklorne's kindness in rousing me as soon as he was dressed. Hastening down as speedily as possible, I left the house, and passing through the lane, soon reached the main road. It was scarcely sunrise. Although the elements were at peace, one could instantly feel, while gazing around, how terrible their strife must be. Heavy mists were rolling slowly up the mountains, and dark vapors en

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