!" she said.

"That is well; choose some elderly admirer, my dear child--like
myself."

The laughter was louder than ever.

"It wouldn't do for you to have two," she said with a merry glance.

Jacques recoiled.

"Every body knows it!" he murmured ruefully.

"They do so," replied the merry girl, who caught these half-uttered
words; "but she's a very sweet lady."

Jacques sighed.

"Are you not tired, sir?" asked the girl.

"No, no! my dear child; but I believe I must return your little
bulrush receptacle, for yonder is my journey's end. Look, Sir Asinus
beholds us--see! there at the window!"

In fact, Sir Asinus was at his open window, inhaling the bright May
morning joyously.

"Sir Asinus? Who is he?" asked the girl, with a puzzled look.

"The great rebel, who tried to assassinate Doctor Small and the
Governer. Have you not heard of it?"

"Oh no, indeed, sir! Did he?"

"Well, principles are men, they say; and that makes what I said quite
true. Look at him: don't he resemble a murderer?"

"I don't know, sir; I hardly know what one looks like."

"Look at his red hair."

"It _is_ red."

"And his sharp features."

"Yes, sir."

"He has a real assassin's look, my dear little friend; but he is a
great thinker. That is the sort of beau I recommend you to get instead
of Bathurst."

The girl laughed.

"But Bathurst is a great deal handsomer," she said; "then he promised
to take me to the ball----"

"While Sir Asinus has not promised."

"Oh, _he_ wouldn't think of _me_. I am very much obliged to you for
carrying my satchel, sir," added the young girl, swinging it again on
her arm.

"Not at all. See how Sir Asinus is staring at you--a very ill-bred
fellow!"

The young girl raised her head, for they were now under the window at
which sat Sir Asinus; and she found the eyes of that gentleman fixed
upon her in truth with great pleasure and admiration.

She laughed and blushed, looking down again.

"Good-by, my dear young lady," said the melancholy Jacques with a
paternal air; "continue on your way, and present my most respectful
regards to Mrs. White and every body. Learn your lessons, jump the
rope, and never conjugate the verb _amo_, _amas_; get a poodle dog,
and hideous china, and prepare yourself for the noble state of elderly
maidenhood: so shall you pass serenely through this vale of tears, and
be for ever great, glorious, and happy."

With which friendly counsel the melancholy Jacques sig