rtain to prevail in the end, and I
shall always be a splendid example to point at and show the melancholy
consequences of degenerate tastes and ignoble ambitions."

The sharp trot of a horse on the gravel road beside him startled him in
his musings, and the pony-carriage whisked rapidly by; Augustus driving
and Julia at his side. She was laughing. Her merry laugh rang out above
the brisk jingle of horse and harness, and to the poor sailor it sounded
like the knell of all his hopes. "What a confounded fool I was not
to remember I had an elder brother," said he, bitterly. That he added
something inaudible about the perfidious nature of girls is possibly
true, but not being in evidence, it is not necessary to record it.

Let us turn from the disconsolate youth to what is certes a prettier
picture--the croquet lawn behind the house, where the two sisters, with
the accomplished Temple, were engaged at a game.

"I hope, girls," said he, in one of his very finest drawls, "the
future head of house and hopes is not going to make a precious fool of
himself."

"You mean with the curate's sister," said Marion, with a saucy toss of
her head. "I scarcely think he could be so absurd."

"I can't see the absurdity," broke in Ellen. "I think a duke might make
her a duchess, and no great condescension in the act."

"Quite true, Nelly," said Temple; "that's exactly what a duke might do;
but Mr. Bramleigh cannot. When you are at the top of the ladder, there's
nothing left for you but to come down again; but the man at the bottom
has to try to go up."

"But why must there be a ladder at all, Temple?" asked she, eagerly.

"Is n't that speech Nelly all over?" cried Marion, haughtily.

"I hope it is," said Ellen, "if it serves to convey what I faithfully
believe,--that we are great fools in not enjoying a very pleasant lot
in life instead of addressing ourselves to ambitions far and away beyond
us."

"And which be they?" asked Temple, crossing his arms over his mallet,
and standing like a soldier on guard.

"To be high and titled, or if not titled, to be accepted among that
class, and treated as their equals in rank and condition."

"And why not, Nelly? What is this wonderful ten thousand that we all
worship? Whence is it recruited, and how? These double wall-flowers are
not of Nature's making; they all come of culture, of fine mould, careful
watering, and good gardening. They were single-petaled once on a time,
like ourselves. Mi