Year: 1860

''Men are never so awkward. never so
ungraceful, never so disagreeable as when
they are making love. A friend is luxu-
ry, a husband ditto, suppose; but that in
termittent class of human beings denomina-
ted lovers are terrible bores. It does s~very
well for women to blush and look fustered
now and then when occasion makes it desir-
able !; but to see a man with his face as red
as a ripe cherry. and real parcel of strong
mindedncss, self-reliance, and masculine
dignity, done up in broadcloth and starched
linen, quaking from the top Of his shirt COL
lar. his mouth awry, and his tongue twisted
into convulsions, in the vain attempt to say
something sweet-O graciousr'


So said saucy Sophia Lynn aloud to her.
self, as she sat swinging backwards and
forwards before the window, half buried in
the cushions of luxuriant armchair, and
playing with delicate ivory fan which lay
upon her lap.


LIT also seems so strange, not to say tire
some," she continued, with running, mt
sical laugh, latter one has waltzed and sung,
quoted poetry and talked nonsense with any
body till one is puzzled to know which one
of the two is most heartless. ones self, Or
ones companion, to hear him come down
plump on the subject Of matrimony, as
though that was the legitimate result of
every such insipid acquaintance For my
part never had lover (here Sophia fut-
tered her fan and looked pleased, for she had
more than one) that wasn't sick of after he
proposed. There was Captain Morris-I
>thought him the handsomest man in the
whole circle of my acquaintance, until he
went on his knees to me, and swore he
should die if I didn't take pity ON him
Somehow he always looked like fright to
me afterwards. Then there was DIR. Viii
kins-he was really agreeable and people
said very learned. 1 was delighted with
him for time ; but he spoiled it all with
that offer of his-what long -wfnded adjec-
tives! and how the poor fellow blushed pulled
and perspired! He called me an adorable
creature, and hiccoughed in the middle OF
adorable Horrors! have hated him
ever since. Then there was "a


Here Sophie started. She heard the
door-bell ring. With nervous spring she
stood before the mirror, smoothing down
her brown hair with taste truly comical.


cit won't do to seem interested" she said,
as she took finishing survey of her person
in the glass, and shook out, with her plump
jeweled fingers, the folds of her airy muslin
dress.


The moment afterwards. when a servant
entered to announce Mr.. Harry Ainslee, she
was back to her old seat by the window,
rocking and playing with her fan, apparent
ly as unconcerned and listless as though
that name had not sent quicker thrill to
her heart, or the betraying crimson all over
her pretty face. 'sTell him will be down
presently she said.


The girl disappeared, and Sophie flung
open the window. that the cool, fresh air
might fan away the extra rosiness from her
complexion.


Then she went again to the mirror, and
after composing her bright, eager, happy
face into an expression of occurrences, de-
scended to. the parlor A smile broke over
the features, and she reached out both hands
to the guest but, as if suddenly recollect-
ing herself, she drew them back again, and
with formal bow of recognition, she passed
him and seated herself in further corner
of the room.


It was very evident that something was
wrong with Sophie; that she had made up
her mind either not to be pleased or not to