dwin herself, she's as elegant, as sweet, and as
lovely a girl as I ever looked on. Mother, I beg you to entertain no
implacable or inveterate enmity against her. I will stake my existence
that she never stooped to any fraudulent circumvention of my poor
uncle. Take my word for it, the intent and execution of the will must be
accounted for otherwise."

"Well and truly said, Harry," said his step-father--"well and generously
said; give me your hand,--my boy; thank you. Now, madam," he proceeded,
addressing his wife, "what have you to say to the opinion of a man who
has lost so much by the transaction, when you hear that that opinion is
given in her favor?"

"Indeed, my dear Harry," observed his sister, "she is all that you
have said of her, and much more, if you knew her as we do; she is all
disinterestedness and truth, and the most unselfish girl that ever
breathed."

Now, there were two persons present who paused upon hearing this
intelligence; one of whom listened to it with unexpected pleasure, and
the other with mingled emotions of pleasure and pain. The first of these
were Mrs. Lindsay, and the other her son Charles. Mrs. Lindsay, whose
eyes were not for a moment off her son, understood the significant
glance he had given her when he launched forth so heartily in the praise
of Alice Goodwin; neither did the same glance escape the observation of
his brother Charles, who inferred, naturally enough, from the warmth of
the eulogium that had been passed upon her, that she had made, perhaps,
too favorable an impression upon his brother. Of this, however, the
reader shall hear more in due time.

"Well," said the mother slowly, and in a meditating voice, "perhaps,
after all, we may have done her injustice. If so, no person would regret
it more than myself; but we shall see. You parted from them, Harry, on
friendly terms?"

"I did, indeed, my dear mother, and am permitted, almost solicited, to
make their further acquaintance, and cultivate a friendly intimacy with
them, which I am determined to do."

"Bravo, Harry, my fine fellow; and we will be on friendly terms with
them once more. Poor, honest, and honorable old Goodwin! what a pity
that either disunion or enmity should subsist between us. No; the
families must be once more cordial and affectionate, as they ought to
be. Bravo, Harry! your return is prophetic of peace and good feeling;
and, confound me, but you shall have a bonfire this night for your
generosity t