ch he enjoyed in being near his adored Maria, and having the
blissful chance of a conversation with her, scarce interrupted by the
soft breathing of Madame de Bernstein, who, after a comfortable meal,
indulged in an agreeable half-hour's slumber? In voices soft and low,
Maria and her young gentleman talked over and over again those delicious
nonsenses which people in Harry's condition never tire of hearing and
uttering.

They were going to a crowded watering-place, where all sorts of beauty
and fashion would be assembled; timid Maria was certain that amongst the
young beauties, Harry would discover some, whose charms were far more
worthy to occupy his attention, than any her homely face and figure
could boast of. By all the gods, Harry vowed that Venus herself could
not tempt him from her side. It was he who for his part had occasion to
fear. When the young men of fashion beheld his peerless Maria they would
crowd round her car; they would cause her to forget the rough and humble
American lad who knew nothing of fashion or wit, who had only a faithful
heart at her service.

Maria smiles, she casts her eyes to heaven, she vows that Harry knows
nothing of the truth and fidelity of women; it is his sex, on the
contrary, which proverbially is faithless, and which delights to play
with poor female hearts. A scuffle ensues; a clatter is heard among the
knives and forks of the dessert; a glass tumbles over and breaks. An
"Oh!" escapes from the innocent lips of Maria, The disturbance has
been caused by the broad cuff of Mr. Warrington's coat, which has been
stretched across the table to seize Lady Maria's hand, and has upset the
wine-glass in so doing. Surely nothing could be more natural, or indeed
necessary, than that Harry, upon hearing his sex's honour impeached,
should seize upon his fair accuser's hand, and vow eternal fidelity upon
those charming fingers?

What a part they play, or used to play, in love-making, those hands! How
quaintly they are squeezed at that period of life! How they are pushed
into conversation! what absurd vows and protests are palmed off by their
aid! What good can there be in pulling and pressing a thumb and four
fingers? I fancy I see Alexis laugh, who is haply reading this page by
the side of Araminta. To talk about thumbs indeed!... Maria looks round,
for her part, to see if Madame Bernstein has been awakened by the crash
of glass; but the old lady slumbers quite calmly in her arm-chair, so