new friend's
shoulder and cry; for Hope was prostrated by the unexpected vision of
Abel, as a strong man is unnerved by sudden physical pain. She felt the
overwhelming grief of a child, and longed to give way to it utterly.

"I am glad to know you, Miss Wayne!" said Amy Waring, in a cordial,
cheerful voice, with a pleasant smile.

Hope bowed, and thanked her.

"I find that Mr. Newt's friends always prove to be mine," continued Amy.

"I am glad of it; but I don't know why I am his friend," said Hope. "I
never saw him until to-day. He must have lived in Delafield. Do you know
how that is?"

She found conversation a great relief, and longed to give way to a kind
of proud, indignant volubility.

"No; but he seems to have lived every where, to have seen every thing,
and to have known every body. A very useful acquaintance, I assure you!"
said Amy, smiling.

"Is he married?" asked Hope.

There was the least little blush upon Amy's cheek as she heard this
question; but so slight, that if any body had thought he observed it, he
would have looked again and said, "No, I was mistaken," Perhaps, too,
there was the least little fluttering of a heart otherwise unconscious.
But words are like breezes that blow hither and thither, and the leaves
upon the most secluded trees in the very inmost covert of the wood may
sometimes feel a breath, and stir with responsive music before they
are aware.

Amy Waring replied, pleasantly, that he was not married. Hope Wayne said,
"What a pity!" Amy smiled, and asked,

"Why a pity?"

"Because such a man would be so happy if he were married, and would make
others so happy! He has been in love, you may be sure."

"Yes," replied Amy; "I have no doubt of that. We don't see men of forty,
or so, who have not been touched--"

"By what?" asked Lawrence Newt, who had come up silently, and now stood
beside her.

"Yes, by what?" interposed Miss Fanny, who had been very busy during the
whole evening, trying to get into her hands the threads of the various
interests that she saw flying and streaming all around her. She had seen
Mr. Alfred Dinks devoted to Miss Wayne, and was therefore confirmed in
her belief that they were engaged. She had seen Abel flirting with Grace,
and was therefore satisfied that he cared nothing about her. She had done
the best she could with Alfred Dinks, but was extremely dissatisfied with
her best; and, seeing Hope and Amy together, she had been hovering about
them f