as the other, but it is far more
sensible, and so affectionate!"

"Can you release it then?" asked Brandon, smiling. "Would it not be
better to see it die in your custody than to let it live and to see it
no more?"

"Oh, no, no!" said Lucy, eagerly; "when I love any one, anything, I wish
that to be happy, not me!"

As she said this, she took the bird from the cage; and bearing it to
the open window, kissed it, and held it on her hand in the air. The poor
bird turned a languid and sickly eye around it, as if the sight of the
crowded houses and busy streets presented nothing familiar or inviting;
and it was not till Lucy with a tender courage shook it gently from her,
that it availed itself of the proffered liberty. It flew first to
an opposite balcony; and then recovering from a short and as it were
surprised pause, took a brief circuit above the houses; and after
disappearing for a few minutes, flew back, circled the window, and
re-entering, settled once more on the fair form of its mistress and
nestled into her bosom.

Lucy covered it with kisses. "You see it will not leave me!" said she.

"Who can?" said the uncle, warmly, charmed for the moment from every
thought but that of kindness for the young and soft creature before
him,--"who can," he repeated with a sigh, "but an old and withered
ascetic like myself? I must leave you indeed; see, my carriage is at
the door! Will my beautiful niece, among the gayeties that surround her,
condescend now and then to remember the crabbed lawyer, and assure him
by a line of her happiness and health? Though I rarely write any notes
but those upon cases, you, at least, may be sure of an answer. And tell
me, Lucy, if there be in all this city one so foolish as to think that
these idle gems, useful only as a vent for my pride in you, can add a
single charm to a beauty above all ornament?"

So saying, Brandon produced a leathern case; and touching a spring, the
imperial flash of diamonds, which would have made glad many a patrician
heart, broke dazzlingly on Lucy's eyes.

"No thanks, Lucy," said Brandon, in answer to his niece's disclaiming
and shrinking gratitude; "I do honour to myself, not you; and now bless
you, my dear girl. Farewell! Should any occasion present itself in which
you require an immediate adviser, at once kind and wise, I beseech you,
my dearest Lucy, as a parting request, to have no scruples in consulting
Lord Mauleverer. Besides his friendship for me, he is