Year: 1873

betrothed found that passionate remon-
STRANGE and tender pleading we're alike
in vain; that fear of the consequences of
refusal had as little effect as anticipation
Of the sweet results of compliance; and
that duty and reason held undoubted
sway over love, he at last ceased his i'm
portunities; he was not a man 10 con-
tinue his endeavors when once convinced
that success was not to be obtained.-
Neither was he man ever to forgive or
foget an injury or an insult, both of
which he considered he had received at
the hands of Ralph Curtis and his sister.
On the former he vowed undying hate.
and revenge as soon as it could be graft
4ied<and, if his love for the other pre-
vented, for the present, such expressions
with regard to her, it was to be feared
that, as time and absence cooled that
love, those feelings which time seldom
cools, mortified pride and insulted vani-
ty, might bear bitter fruit. Bnt Ralph
had no such fears. His sisters obedience
gained, he had no dread of her lovers
revenge: and, that lover once safely out
of the way, he had little expectation of
any further annoyance from him; Africa
is long way off-its sun is seorching,
and its Arabs fierce, and there was small
chance that those who went there would
ever return.


So Ralph was eongratulating himself
on the success of his endeavors and his
sisters docility, when he found that, in
avoiding one danger, he had fallen into
another far more serious-that, while
escaping the whirlpool, he had run on
the rocks. The publicity of Miss Cur
tis's love-affair had drawn attention to
her; it became the fashion to admire her;
and, at last, even the king himself con-
/ descended TO bestow OH her especial
marks of notice and admiration. Now,
the royal attentions being as dangerous
as they were complimentary, Ralph was
| sorely embarrassed what to do in this
new complication of affairs. There was
no appeal to higher authority in this
case, as the person who had assisted him
in the former exigency was the one most
likely to thwart him now; he had no
country house to which to carry his sis
ter, and no relations to whom to send
her; and he was completely at loss how
to screen her from the fattering indig-
nifty he feared was intended for her,
/ Il, Ua


in most unexpected manner, came to
his relief.


1t never seems to have entered his


mind that he was acting otherwise than
as he had perfect right to do in as
suming the control of Serena's destiny,


and making or marring her marriage as


he saw lit. She was naturally of a gem


tie disposition, seldom reused, and easi-


ly governed by those whom she respect
ed, and who possessed 4 spirit stronger


than her own. All the affection divided


by others among many relatives was


centred by her on this one brother, the


only relative she knew; and, as we have


seen, it was sufficiently strong to over


come her first passion. The mind that


had yielded against the most powerful


of all temptations to resistance was not


likely long to hold out under circum-


stances where the feelings were far less


engaged; and as patiently as she had


submitted to be deprived of one lover


did she accept another when suitable


one was found.


This was Sir Lionel Daneham, west


country baronet, who happened at this
time, most opportunely, to visit London,


to become acquainted with Miss Curtis,
and to surrender to her fascinations.
Like a wise man, he paid his court first
to the brother, whom he soon complete
ly gained to his side, and enlisted in his
. cause. All was in favor of his suit
nothing against it; he was of suitable
r age, ample fortune, unblemished in
character, and much in love. Could
Serena only had loved him in return
there would have been nothing to desire
$ but what heart she had was gone to AT
rica with the young soldier. She told
e Sir Lionel so, but he was disposed tC
: give but little attention to it; he was o
e grave and reserved nature, not giver
l to raptures on his own part, nor requir
/ ing them in others; and he pressed hi
v suit. Serena's brother urged her com
a pliance She had no objection to Sil
a Lionel; on the contrary, she felt a grea
esteem for him. She knew the annoy
a ance she might be subjected to if sh'
: remained where she was, and, with al
t this, the end could not be long doubtful
9 There was no occasion to ask for an,
e outside assistance this time, and the.
e took care not to attract a. notice whicl
s might have had far from a favorable in
i fuenee on their plans. The court wa


scarcely aware that Miss Curtis was re
, ceiving the baronet's addresses, befor
.. she had become Lady Daneham, an,
was gone.


J. 1t was not happy union. Wher
: each party to the marriage-contrac
II feels esteem for the other, and no more
g the experiment may be successful, an,
st life proceed in harmony at least, if no
h in happiness; but esteem on one side
Is and love on the other, can be productiv
re of nothing but uneasiness and discon
r. tent. Love must have love, and will b
N satisfied with no other return; and love
e. once bestowed elsewhere, will not b
t transferred at pleasure, no matter ho'
he strong the obligation may be to give i
m Therefore, though Sir Lionel found tha
c. his wife expressed the sincerest graf
f tude for all the kinknesses he lavishe
in on her; though she showed her respet
a for his wishes and opinions in ever
n possible way; and, though as wife an
Id mistress of his house, she discharge
st her duties faithfully and to the ute
e. most, he was dissatisfied because
TT. never could bring her to evince warmt
d. of affection she had warned him befor