was
the most attractive feature in Juliet Whitmore's character. It had its
effect upon the old man's generous nature. He could no longer chide,
however repugnant to his feelings the confession she had just made. He
drew her gently to his manly breast, and kissed away the tears that
still lingered on her cheeks.

"My poor girl, I am sorry for you--very sorry. But I see no chance of
your ever becoming his wife."

"I am contented to remain single, papa; I never can love another as I
love him."

"Stuff and nonsense! What should hinder you? Why, child, you will get
over this romantic passion. Few people are able to marry the first
person with whom they fall in love; and, in nine cases out of ten, they
would be grievously disappointed if they did. This Anthony Hurdlestone
may be a good young man, but his father is a very bad man. His children
may inherit some of the family propensities, which you know, my little
daughter are everything but agreeable. I should not like to be grandpapa
to a second edition of Mark Hurdlestone, or even of his hopeful nephew,
Master Godfrey."

"Ah, my dear father," said Juliet, with great simplicity, "this may be
all very true; but how do you know that we should have any children?"

This unexpected confession threw the old Captain, in spite of his grave
lecture, into convulsions of laughter, whilst it covered his daughter's
face with crimson blushes.

"Miss Juliet!" cried her aunt, who entered just in time to hear her
niece speak her thoughts aloud, "I am perfectly astonished at you. Have
you no sense of decorum?"

"Pshaw, Dolly!" said the Captain, still laughing. "It was quite
accidental. Your over delicate ladies are the most indelicate people in
the world. I am sure what the child said was perfectly natural."

"Nature, Captain Whitmore, is not the best book for young ladies to
study," said Miss Dorothy, drawing herself up to her full height. "If we
were to act entirely from her suggestions, we should reduce ourselves to
a level with the brutes. Young ladies should never venture a remark
until they have duly considered what they have to say. They should know
how to keep the organ of speech in due subjection."

"And pray, Dolly, will you inform me at what age a lady should commence
this laudable act of self-denial? for I am pretty certain that your
first lesson is still to learn."

Oh, how poor Aunt Dorothy flounced and flew, at this speech! how she let
her tongue run on, without bi