Year: 1859

have eaten them, but not Tor love.
"Do you never experience any qualm
of conscience, Lily, when you witness th
effects of such conduct or are you reall,
as heartless as your accusers represent? ?


Lily was tying on her sunbonnet pre-
paratory to stroll through the gardens
and Fannie could not see her face, hel
lips deigned no reply to the banterine
question.


"Lily," said Fannie, as they stepped
|, from the vaiary into the orangery, 81
know one gentleman whose heart would
never capitulate to your attractions, either
through storm or seig there your skill
would be bafflcd."


"Pray, who commands this impregnable
fortress in whose strength you seem to
have so much confidence ?"


"Cousin Clarence Hunter. / do not be
lieve the woman lives who could subdue
his proud heart. And it would be we'll
worth the winning, too, for be has noble
generous nature. almost revere the
soil his foot imprints, so far does his truth
and goodness elevate him above the frail-
ties of common humanity. He never ad.
dressed lady in his life, never loved one,
and he is almost thirty fve."


"I do not believe any man ever attained
that age without an impression being made
by some woman, it would argue lack of
sensibility upon his part"


"But it is SO in cousin Clare's case and
he is not insensible either; he possesses
warm, true heart, animated by the
kindest and best of feelings although he
is so Indifferent to the ladies'"


$50 you infer from that, that he is in
vulnerable to cupid's darts, do your
asked Lily musingly.


"Why to be sure,' replied Fannie open
ing her hazel eyes wide with astonishment,
"Perhaps you think you you could capti-
vate him? l would like for you to try
it would be rare sport to see you entangled
in web of your own wearing"


"Would it? But we will not dispute
the point, for, since he never visits the
ladies, shall not have an opportunity of
controverting your position"


"Oh that reminds me of something I
had forgotten to mention, you piU have
the opportunity and l insist upon your
improving it too received letter from
cousin Clare, this morning saying that he
would be here tonight on his way to
cousin May Stanley's."


"But what exhibition of my powers do
you suppose l can make during single
interview; | must have more time"


go make, an impression and time will
not be wanting But perhaps you are
afraid of the contest? IF so just admit
the truth, acknowledge yourself vanquish-
ed and | will release you from an attempt
that might prove disastrous


"Never! 1 will accept the challenge
under these conditions first that you
never repeat what has passed between us
to man, woman or child without previous
ly obtaining my permission; secondly that
you refrain from all interference in the
contest"


81 agree; for / have no fears in regard
to the result; but l cannot ''refrain" from
expressing my astonishmcnt at your
temerity in making the attempt Will
you not retract while you can honorably
do so?'


"Oh no; not unless your fears for your
cousins safety are excited and it is your
wish that l should"


"By no means My fears were all for
you; go on since you are willing to risk
so much-Ah! there is the veritable
gentleman himself Speak of angels etc
l did not expect him so soon. Come and
receive an introduction.
81 shall not 90 to him, assure you
you may bring him here if yon wish"
but l may not be able to persuade
him to come l told you that he is never
anxious to form the acquaintance oi
ladies"


80 much more cOgent, then, my reason
for not wishing to seek his"
90! you are perverse, If you are SC
infcxible you never will form his ac-
/, quaintance and l shall triumph in saying
you were afraid to do SO"
"Be it so, have never yet sought
gentlcman's society and shall not com
mcnce this evening"


"Well must leave you then, for he al
ways expects me to welcome him at tn,
gate, so | am off without you. will Try