literary tastes; she does not care for reading or study;
she won't like our set here, and she will gradually drive them from
the house. She won't like me, and she will want to alienate John from
me,--so there is just the situation."

"You may read that letter," added Miss Grace, wiping her eyes, and
tossing her brother's letter into Miss Letitia's lap. Miss Letitia
took the letter and read it. "Good fellow!" she exclaimed warmly, "you
see just what I say,--his heart is all with you."

"Oh, John's heart is all light enough!" said Miss Grace; "and I don't
doubt his love. He's the best, noblest, most affectionate fellow in
the world. I only think he reckons without his host, in thinking he
can keep all our old relations unbroken, when he puts a new mistress
into the house, and such a mistress."

"But if she really loves him"--

"Pshaw! she don't. That kind of woman can't love. They are like cats,
that want to be stroked and caressed, and to be petted, and to
lie soft and warm; and they will purr to any one that will pet
them,--that's all. As for love that leads to any self-sacrifice, they
don't begin to know any thing about it."

"Gracie dear," said Miss Ferguson, "this sort of thing will never do.
If you meet your brother in this way, you will throw him off, and,
maybe, make a fatal breach. Meet it like a good Christian, as you
are. You know," she said gently, "where we have a right to carry our
troubles, and of whom we should ask guidance."

"Oh, I do know, 'Titia!" said Miss Grace; "but I am letting myself be
wicked just a little, you know, to relieve my mind. I ought to put
myself to school to make the best of it; but it came on me so _very_
suddenly. Yes," she added, "I am going to take a course of my Bible
and Fenelon before I see John,--poor fellow."

"And try to have faith for her," said Miss Letitia.

"Well, I'll try to have faith," said Miss Grace; "but I do trust it
will be some days before John comes down on me with his raptures,--men
in love are such fools."

"But, dear me!" said Miss Letitia, as her head accidentally turned
towards the window; "who is this riding up? Gracie, as sure as you
live, it is John himself!"

"John himself!" repeated Miss Grace, becoming pale.

"Now do, dear, be careful," said Miss Letitia. "I'll just run out this
back door and leave you alone;" and just as Miss Letitia's light heels
were heard going down the back steps, John's heavy footsteps were
coming up the front on