nswered the mother.

A moment after, he entered and took his seat. He was tall, rather handsome,
and looked about thirty. His sister presented her friend, and with a hasty
bow he fastened his eyes on her face. Probably he was unconscious of the
steadiness of his gaze, but Irene became restless under his fixed, earnest
eye, and perceiving her embarrassment, Mrs. Young said--

"Harvey, where have you been? Dr. Melville called here for you at four
o'clock; said you had made some engagement with him."

"Yes, mother; we have been visiting together this afternoon."

Withdrawing his eyes, he seemed to fall into a reverie and took no part in
the conversation that ensued. As the party adjourned to the sitting-room,
he paused on the rug, and leaned his elbow on the mantel. Louisa lingered
and drew near. He passed his arm around her shoulders, and looked
affectionately down at her.

"Go to your friend, and when you are at a loss for conversation, bring her
to my study to see those sketches of Palmyra and Baalbec."

He passed on to his work, and she to the sitting-room. He read
industriously for some time, occasionally pausing to annotate; and once or
twice he raised his head and listened. A light tap at the door was followed
by the entrance of the two girls. Irene came very reluctantly, fearful of
intruding; but he rose, and placed a chair for her close to his own,
assuring her that he was glad to see her there. Louisa found the portfolio,
and, bringing it to the table, began to exhibit its treasures. The two
leaned over it, and as Irene sat resting her cheek on her hand, the beauty
of her face and figure was clearly revealed. Harvey remained silent,
watching the changing expression of the visitor's countenance; and once he
put out his hand to touch the hair floating over the back and arms of her
chair. Gradually his still heart stirred, his brow flushed, and a new light
burned in the deep clear eyes.

He told her of his visit to the old world, of its mournful ruins, its
decaying glories; of the lessons he learned there; the sad but precious
memories he brought back, and as he talked time passed unheeded--she forgot
her embarrassment, they were strangers no longer. The clock struck ten;
Louisa rose at once.

"Thank you, Harvey, for giving us so much of your time. Father and mother
will be waiting for you."

"Yes, I will join you at once."

She led the way back to the sitting-room, and a few moments after, to
Irene's gre