h?"

CAMPBELL.

Another day had passed, and a third had shed its light on Strawberry
Hill, and still John Ferguson lingered there. It is true the inmates of
the house pressed him to stay; but it required little pressing to induce
him to continue a visit which was so grateful and congenial to his
wishes. He had spent long hours in the society of the ladies, and had
rambled with them through the shades of the bush. He was irresistibly
spell-bound to the spot, though he professed to himself utter ignorance
of any retentive influence. Despite his repeated personal assurances
that he had no amative object or gratification in his partiality for the
society of his new-made friends, it must be admitted that the presence
and companionship of Miss Rainsfield had more attractions for him than
he pretended to admit; though the fact that his heart was a little
interested in the matter at last began to dawn upon his mind. It was in
fact almost impossible for any man, whose affections were not
pre-engaged, to live in the enjoyment of a contiguity with such a
creature as Eleanor Rainsfield without feeling deeply the fascination of
her cultivated mind, her charming person, and graceful unaffected
manner. How much more susceptible of a loving impress, then, must have
been the mind of John Ferguson, who retaining nature's freshness itself,
at once perceived a kindred spirit in the fair cousin of Mr. Rainsfield.

On the other hand, the charming girl herself--young and inexperienced,
early deprived of the guiding influence of her fond parents, and seldom
mixing in society--had very rare opportunities of forming any opinion of
the world or its motives; and knew not the accomplished art of
dissembling her feelings, when the ice of her outward reserve had been
once broken. The conversation and ingenuous manner of her companion
pleased her, and she took an interest and pleasure in his society, which
she had no idea of concealing. What her feelings were, at this period of
her acquaintance with Ferguson, it were difficult to surmise; but, in
all probability they were embraced in a friendly regard for him, whose
mind and character she intuitively esteemed: a species of admiration,
engendering a confidence in their friendly intercourse; and which in the
breast of a young girl, actuated solely by the spontaneous actions of
her own feelings, tends more than anything to beget a feeling of
affection for