lting within himself as he
saw the pain his words inflicted.

"I know he was only trying to tease me," was the conclusion to which
Ella finally came, and then there arose in her mind a debate as to
whether, under the circumstances, it were not best to treat her sister
with rather more respect than she was wont to do. "The Seldens,"
thought she, "are among the first. If they notice her others will, and
why should not I?"

This question was at last decided in the affirmative, and towards the
close of the afternoon, she started for Mr. Selden's, on her way
meeting with Henry, who asked "where she was going?"

"To see that _beautiful_ young lady," returned Ella, rather pettishly;
whereupon Henry laughed aloud, and asked "if it were not a little the
richest joke he had ever put upon her."

Ella saw no joke at all, but as Henry had turned about, and was
walking back with her, she could not feel angry, and prattled on,
drinking in his words of flattery, as he told her how charmingly she
looked at the concert, and how jealous he felt when he saw so many
admiring eyes gazing upon what he considered his own exclusive
property! The very expressive look which accompanied this remark made
Ella's heart beat rapidly, for Henry had never before said any thing
quite so pointed, and the cloud, which for a time had rested on her
brow, disappeared.

When they reached Mr. Selden's house, Henry announced his intention of
calling also to inquire after Mary whom he respected on her sister's
account! "But," said he, "I am in something of a hurry, and as you
girls have a thousand things to talk about, I hardly think I can wait
for you."

"Oh, pray, don't wait," returned Ella, hoping in her heart that he
would.

Upon asking for Mary, she was taken immediately to her room, where she
found her reclining upon a sofa, attired in a tasteful crimson morning
gown, which gave a delicate tint to her cheeks. She was paler than
usual, and her thick shining hair was combed up from her forehead in a
manner highly becoming to her style of beauty. Until that day Ella had
never heard her sister called handsome--never even thought such a
thing possible; but now, as she looked upon her, she acknowledged to
herself that Henry was more than half right, and she felt a pang of
jealousy,--a fear that Mary might prove her rival. Still she tried to
be agreeable, telling her how fortunate she was in being at Mr.
Selden's, "for," said she, "I dare say some of our