Mr. Price's especial favourite, for which he beat time on the back of her chair, to Herbert's great irritation. Mr. Jones soon however begged for something more sentimental, and she sang with much expression, "The wreath of roses," which had been but lately published. It was received, as usual, with rapturous applause."

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Now, that is what I call singing," said Mr. Franklin to Miss Bridges. "How much better that is than the outlandish songs some people sing! I could listen to Miss Denison for ever."

"I can't say I agree with you; I'm not partial to English songs myself, and I believe you, Mr. Franklin, are singular in your admiration."

"Am I?" he said, looking round the room. "See how our partner's rapt”—(Mr. Franklin was a quoter of Shakespeare)-pointing to Herbert, who sate indeed buried in thought, behind Isabel's chair. "He rather likes English singing, I imagine." Miss Bridges smiled scornfully. "I see what you mean," he added,

(for he was too good-natured ever to think of bad passions,)" you think there are other feelings there besides love of music. I believe you are right—it had struck me at dinner today."

"Indeed, Mr. Franklin, I'm quite in the dark. What feelings do you allude to? If you suppose Mr. Grey to be in love with Miss Denison, I can contradict such an idea with authority."

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"Indeed!" he said, with some surprise. Well, I'm usually wrong when I take to match-making."

Mrs. Shepherd remained the last of the party. She never held much to the proverb, that "Enough is as good as a feast," but was rather of opinion that you could not have too much of a good thing. Mr. Price approached Isabel, before they took leave, and warmly thanked her for her singing.

"You have given me a great deal of pleasure, my dear; I hope, therefore, that you have enjoyed yourself as well?"

"I have, indeed," she said; "I cannot tell

you how much." Her beautiful face certainly expressed pleasure. Herbert saw it, and his melancholy brow cleared at the sight. He approached her.

“I have formed a new opinion," she said, looking up at him with a smile, "and that is, that I think it would be a good thing if the neighbourhood met more frequently in this way. I think it might do a great deal towards putting an end to little jealousies and foolish. gossip. What do you think?"

He smiled, but shook his head.

Herbert and Isabel both required the lesson, that the law of perfect charity does not extend to the very poor alone.

CHAPTER V.

I,

Beyond the limit of all else i' the world,

Do love, prize, honour you.

SHAKESPEARE.

It is in vain that we would coldly gaze

On those that smile on us. The heart must

Leap kindly back to kindness.

BYRON.

It was about three weeks after Mr. Price's dinner, that Isabel was walking home one afternoon with Mrs. Jones's eldest little girl, who had been spending the day with her.

Amy was a bright little creature, and a great favourite of her cousin's; and now, as they walked along the high road together, Isabel, with her dark and stately beauty, and the rosy little girl, with her blue eyes and golden hair, they were really a pretty sight,

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and attracted the pleased admiration of many a passer-by.

They walked along, in animated conversation, till their attention was somewhat arrested by the appearance of three young men on horseback, strangers; two of whom were talking with great eagerness as they passed Isabel. The third was a few yards behind them, and was engaged in reading a letter. As he too passed, he folded it up, and awkwardly dropped it on the ground, instead of into his pocket. A gust of wind blew it to Isabel's feet. He turned his horse round. She picked up the letter, and returned a few steps, holding the little girl's hand, to give it to him. He jumped from his horse to receive it, bowed and smiled as he thanked her-for an instant, only an instant, fixed his eyes on her beautiful face, and rode after his companions. He was not strikingly handsome, but had one of those faces with a peculiar sweetness of expression, half smiling, half thoughtful, which are often more engaging than a greater degree of beauty.