ar to
scientific men; I, on the contrary, supported the green-cheese view of
the question; and this was the real cause of our quarrel. I am sure
Mr. Denis and myself are the most excellent friends now," said
Hoffland, turning with a smile towards Denis; "and we will never
quarrel any more."

A pause of some moments followed this ridiculous explanation; and this
pause was first broken by Miss Lucy, who burst into the most
unladylike laughter, and indeed shook from head to foot in the excess
of her mirth. Mowbray looked with an amazed and puzzled air at
Hoffland, and Denis did not know what to say or how to look.

Lucy, after laughing uninterruptedly for nearly five minutes, suddenly
remembered the indecorum of this strange exhibition; so, drying her
eyes, and assuming a demure and business-like air, she took a small
basket of keys, and apologizing for her departure, went to attend to
supper. Before leaving the room, however, she gladdened honest Jack
Denis's heart with a sweet smile, and this smile was so perfect a balm
to the wounded feelings of the worthy fellow, that his discontent and
ill-humor disappeared completely, and he was almost ready to give his
hand to his rival, Hoffland. The same arrow had mortally wounded
Jacques and Denis.

CHAPTER XX.

AT ROSELAND, IN THE EVENING.

Seated on the vine-embowered porch of the cottage, with the pleasant
airs of evening blowing from the flowers their rich fragrant perfume,
the inmates of Roseland and their guests passed the time in very
pleasant converse.

From time to time Hoffland and Miss Lucy exchanged confidential
smiles, and on these occasions Mr. Jack Denis, whose love-sharpened
eyes lost nothing, felt very unhappy. Indeed, throughout the whole
evening this gentleman displayed none of that alacrity of spirit which
usually characterized him; his whole manner, conversation, and
demeanor betraying unmistakable indications of jealous dissatisfaction.

Lucy had always been very kind and gentle to him before; and though
her manner had not changed toward him, still her evident preference
for the society and conversation of the student Hoffland caused him a
bitter pang. Denis sincerely loved the bright-faced young girl, and no
one who has not loved can comprehend the sinking of the heart which
preference for another occasions. The last refinement of earthly
torture is assuredly jealousy--and Denis was beginning to suffer this
torture. More than once Lucy see