Year: 1865

POHSs AlnVnS Tue last was ELISE sne
was cross aud i'll at ease !; too conscious
to ask any one who the lady was, and too
vexed with herSeMco venture near them
again. She kUew Mr.. Msnley did not
care for dancing, so it was not so very
strange that he had kept himself aloof.


The supper over, Ellie slipped away
unseen, and managed to get into small
conservatory that opened By . glass door
into the library where the refreshments
were laid. The room being brilliantly
lighted, and the conservatory dark, Elise
amused herself by watching the couples
as they sauntered in and out, perfectly
aware that though she could sec Ghem
they could not see her. "a.
At last she saw Louis Manley enter
with the lady on his arm, and a very
handsome couple they were-a fact that
even ELISE could not deny.


They sat themselves just under the mis-
tletoe. and with burning indignation
ELISE saw Louis Manley playfully tap his
fair companion on the shoulder, and trifle
with her long curls; while she chatted
and laughed, quite unconcerned. Then
they both looked at the mistletoe, and
seemed TO be engaged in an argument as
to its utility.


Abr thought Elise, with all your
sedateness, Mr. Manley, you would like
to have taken advantage Of the mistletoe;
but never mind, you are disappointed


She had scarcely said as much to her.
sell, when she saw the gentleman Jump
up, break off sprig Of the mistlctOe, hold
it over the lady's head. and kiss her.


With burning cheek, and an exclama.
tion that nearly betrayed her, ELISE turn
ed away; and at the same time snatching
the cameIlia from her hair, she tore it in
pieces. Then she recolected that she
had no right to be angry, that Mr.. Man.
Icy had done nothing that could by any
means be construed into particular at.
tentions, and that this fact no doubt
cleared up the mystery Of his great stead
mess, and his never by any chance tlirt
ing He was engaged beyond Doubt
But how came the lady there on this
evening, when she had written every in
vitation herself?


Mortified pride was for time upper
most. That she, Elise Efingham, should
have fallen in love with her fathers arti
cled pupil-given her heart to an engaged
man, it was dreadful and tears, angry, ,
burning tears, started into her eyes,
Then she stood, and looked out on the
stars, as most love lorn damsels are apt
to do, raising kind of comfort from the
consideration that she was q martyr
She positively managed to make herself
thoroughly unhappy, for there certainly
had been q something in Louis Manley's
manner, that had spoken Of more than
friendship, though he had been anything
but forward in his attentions.


While Elise was thus standing, lost in
her anything but pleasant musings, she
was startled by hearing her own name
spoken close beside her, and turning
round found herself face to face with
Louis Manley.


Annoyed bcvond measure, she would
have given anything to escape, but it was
impossible, aud she did her best TO brave
it out though fully conscious that there
remained traces of tears on her face, and
that the scattered leaves Of the camellia
we're by her side to tell their own tale.


Il am feeling tired and heated, Mr..
Manley,' she began in a tolerably compos-
ed manner. Are you looking for any
one?'


Yes, he replied your mamma sent
ne. to look for you, Miss Effingham; you
have been missing so long Will you not
allow me to get you some refreshment?
If yor are warm you are scarcely wise to
remain in this draught'


Elise thought that the best thing she
could do was to comply, and accordingly
took bis profered arm. She saw him
cast look Of surprise and inquiry to-
wards the broken flower, and felt mad
dened at the impetuous folly which had
caused her to destroy it, at the same time
fully alive to the necessity Of arousing
herself to avoid anything like an exhibi.
ton Of her real feelings.


Louis led her to the supper room, and
they were soon seated just where ELISE
had seen the strange tableau enacted
She did her best to talk in her usually
lively strain, but her sallics were little
too sarcastic to pass current


Mr.. Manley helped her to a glass Of
wine, but made no effort to enliven the
conversation. ELISE had noAdoubt that
he was thinking what rude, foolish girl
she was to destroy his really thoughtful
present. She emptied her glass as quick
ly as possible, and managed to eat bis
cult, and then she proposed joining the
rest of the party.


No, please not yet, said her partner
with look that few hours ago would
have made ELISE happy, whereas it now
only made her long to end tete-a tete
which was every moment becoming more
and more embarrassing


No, Elise, you must not 60 he con-
tinued, in q constrained voice. Where
have you kept yourself all the evening
| have not caught glimpse of you


ELISE felt angry, fancying that some
how he had guessed her secret, and was
trihng with her, and replied very testify,
i am quite at loss to know what you
mean, Mr.. ManIey; you must be aware
that your attentions have been confined
to the one who doubtless has the best
right to receive them


Nay, Miss Efingham, that is rather
severe speech, and am sure that you
will not get any one to coincide with
you, replied Louis, speaking as though
she had meant joke.


Elise saw this, and tried to carry on
the illusion, saying in bantering tone,
No, no, Mr.. Manley, not if they had seen
that pretty little scene under the,
and she lifted herNyes to the mistletoe.


At first Louis looked perplexed, but
soon burst into an uncomfortable fit of
laughter.


Surprised and vexcd, ELISE rose to
leave the room, but again she was detain-
ed, by her companion saying in an eager
voice, DO allow me to explain my ap-
parent rudeness, Miss Bingham


Elise was in despair, almost dismay,