y
Miss Moncton; but I don't believe a word of it. He does not love her I
am certain; for he told me so a few days ago; and that he thought me a
thousand times handsomer than his cousin!'

"While Alice ran on thus, I kept my eyes fixed upon her beautiful face;
and from the heightening of her colour when speaking of Theophilus, I
was convinced that young as she was, she was not insensible to his
flattery. Anxious to warn her of her danger, I drew her arm through
mine, and we strolled together into the park.

"'Dear Alice,' said I, affectionately; 'do you love your brother as
well as you used to do in years long past?'

"'Philip, do you doubt my love?' she answered, reproachfully.

"'Not in the least, Alice. I know your heart to be warm and true; but
years make great changes. Four years have fled away since we met, and
you are nearly grown into a woman. Perhaps you will be angry with me if
I venture to give you a little brotherly advice.'

"'Not without you scold me too much.'

"'My lecture, Alice, I will confine to a few words. Do not listen, dear
child, to the flattering speeches of Theophilus Moncton. He means you
no good.'

"'How can you know that?' she said, quickly.

"'From the general character which the man bears. From my experience of
him when a boy. Avoid his company; he means to deceive you.'

"'Philip, you wrong him, indeed, you do!' she cried, with flashing
eyes. 'He never talks to me of love, he only seeks to be my friend. I
am too young to think of love. I don't know what being in love is--but
I do feel very grateful to one so much richer and better than me, and
who is heir to all these beautiful groves, and that fine old Hall,
taking such an interest in my welfare--particularly,' she added, with
great emphasis on her words, 'after he received such unworthy treatment
from a brother of mine.'

"'You surely do not mean what you say, Alice?'

"'I never say what I do not mean; and if you come back to us, Philip,
only to quarrel with us, you had better have stayed away.'

"For a few minutes I felt terribly annoyed; but when I recollected that
these words fell from the lips of a spoilt child, I restrained my
anger, in the hope of saving her from the ruin I feared might be
impending over her.

"'Alice, you are a simple, little girl; as such I forgive you. You are
not aware of the danger to which you are exposed. Young people are so
ignorant of the treachery of the world, and so confident in their ow