t or bridle, while vindicating her injured
honor from this foul aspersion, quite forgetting her own theory in the
redundancy of her practice! There never was, by her own account, such a
discreet, amiable, well-spoken, benevolent, and virtuous gentlewoman!
And how the cruel Captain continued to laugh at, and quiz, and draw her
out: until Juliet, in order to cause a diversion in her aunt's favor,
pinched her favorite black cat's ear. But this stratagem only turned the
whole torrent of the old maid's wrath upon herself.

"How cruel you are, Miss Juliet!" she cried, snatching the ill-used
darling to her bosom. "You never think that these poor animals can feel
ill-treatment as severely as yourself. I despise young ladies who write
poetry, and weep and whine over a novel, yet are destitute of the common
feelings of humanity."

"Puss will forgive me," said Juliet, holding out her small white hand to
the cat, which immediately left off rubbing herself against Aunt
Dorothy's velvet stomacher, to fawn upon the proffered peace-offering.

The old Captain, who had remained for some minutes in deep thought, now
suddenly turned from the window, and said:

"Juliet, would you like to visit London?"

"What, at this beautiful season of the year!" And Juliet left off
caressing the cat, and regarded her father with surprise, not unmixed
with curiosity.

"The flowers of the gay world, Julee, always blossom at the same time
with those in the country; only the latter have always this advantage,
that they are never out of season, and blossom for the day, instead of
for the night. But, my dear child, I think it necessary for you to go.
The change of scene and air will be very beneficial to your health, and
tend to invigorate both your mind and body. Now, don't pout and shake
your head, Juliet; I do most earnestly wish you to go. The very best
antidote to love is a visit to London. You will see other men, you will
learn to know your own power; and all these idle fancies will be
forgotten. Aunt Dorothy, what say you to the trip?"

"Oh, sir, I am always ready at the post of duty. Juliet wants a little
polishing--she is horribly countryfied. When shall we prepare for the
journey?"

"Directly. I will write to her Aunt Seaford by tonight's post. She will
be delighted to have Juliet with her. The little sly puss is the old
lady's heir; but she is quite indifferent to her good fortune."

"I never covet the possession of great wealth," said Jul