self-important vanity-not conceit that tormenting appetite which is continually craving and pining and enduring the agonies of hunger, unless cloyed with the manna of adulation. But within her soul there dwelt that high-spirited consciousness, which, though the source of all enjoyment to the possessor, delights not in outward manifestation, and courts neither notice nor acknowledgment, Her's was that pride which is convinced of its own merit and superiority, yet is satisfied with this internal conviction and contentedly sees the world around pursue the course that pleases it; pride which shrinks from contact and may be mistaken for timid weakness, until a wound is felt, but then arms itself with a sudden instinctive vigor to repel and punish the aggression. Had she been a King's daughter, and Somers a page of low degree, she could have given him a love unexacting, loyal, tender, submissive. Without repining, she would have seen the crown pass from her head to his, if it were her hand that made the exchange. But the scene of her life was not laid in the romantic land of dreams;-there were no sceptres nor thrones to be the gift of generous affection. Rugged realities surrounded her, which even love's enchantment could not render smooth and verdant. Still the fond wish remained that, although she had little more than her heart to bestow, the recipient should take it with the temper of one who is placed under an enduring obligation. She would contribute love for the adornment of the Marriage Ring; the suitor must furnish not only love but gratitude. That Somers was not wealthy, caused her therefore no regret. His obscure and humble birth, which we might suppose would appear an insuperable objection to one so proud of the glories of her own genealogical tree, gave him, in her eyes, a charm and an attraction. That he affected none of the arts of the parvenu, but frankly owned his barren escutcheon, was a merit, since it came not from any stolid and vulgar independence, but was accompanied by an ingenuous appreciation of the advantage which his mistress enjoyed in her ancestral dignity. She never suspected and the error was a pleasant one-that this poor lawyer-this son of parents whom nobody knew, who appeared so humble, and who really was so devoted, had a spirit to the full as haughty as her own, and a will, of whose iron and masculine rigidity her mind could form no conception. She saw him now actuated by other purposes than such as love for her would suggest, and she saw it with a surprise that equalled her displeasure. Had she been prepared for this course, by knowledge of his character, she might have learned to pardon it; but it is not surprising, that, attributing his conduct, as she thought herself compelled to do, to selfish and discreditable motives, she should have regarded it as presumptuous perfidy deserves to be regarded. Somers, for his part, was a lover, and in that character, was willing, as a matter of course, to be attentive and obsequious. It had never entered his thoughts, however, that he was a proper object for condescension. Perhaps it was well that the course of his love did not run smooth. Sidney must have found, after marriage, if not before, that she was far less unlike the diademed princess, than he was to the pliant and graceful page. The disappointment which awaited her came best at a time when, although it might crush the dearly cherished fabric of a girlish fancy, it did not blast a whole life-time's prospect of happiness. Though his mind was filled with uncasy forebodings, Somers thus failed to recognize all the danger that threatened, and consequently could not take the proper measures to avert them. He knew enough, indeed, of female character and of human character, that Sidney would not tolerate a rival in his affections, and ordinary prudence enjoined upon him to say nothing which could kindle jealousy. Hence he studiously avoided speaking of Emma or of her concerns. His caution was detected by Sidney, and unluckily, instead of allaying her suspicions, only seemed ample confirmation of them. At each visit that he made, he received a greeting colder than at the last. He was earnest and tender, and rhetorically persuasive-but all to no purpose. She listened apathetically, replied in monosyllables, and only varied her formal reserve by darting an occasional gleam from that marvellous bright eye of hers. What meaning shone in that glance, there was no time to examine-you might I as well attempt to assort the colors which | road maker, nor the engineer of roads. It glow in the lightning, when it breaks from is true, indeed, that I am hunting for the the thunder-cloud. All that the dazzled lost-but not for lost bees. My employyision of poor Somers could observe, was, ment is less classical, and less poetic. that it was not such a glance as ought to am hunting for landmarks-for proofs to give rapture to the lover. After a long establish a just cause, Mr. Somers. The endurance of this treatment, his own tem- Hardwater, that stream which seems to per began to be chafed. He felt strongly have possessed the faculty of rendering tempted to make the wide, blindfold leap itself invisible to some eyes, can no longer from patience into recklessness. Why avoid detection. I think we have found it, should he submit to be the slave of a but where I ought not, perhaps, to mention, woman's whim? Did it not rather become since the disclosure may pain you, sir." him to give open defiance to her absurd jealousy? What was it but base, unmanly truckling, to shun the utterance of truth? -and what more true than that Miss Newlove was eminently deserving of her advocate's most zealous service? As the lawyer was riding one day across the wilderness of the debatable land, he saw, standing a little way from him, a surveyor's compass. Two bare-headed negro lads reclined at lazy length upon the ground, while stretched between them was a Gunter's chain. A lithe young fellow, in a grey frock coat, and shining cap, was busily adjusting the instrument, and stooped now and then to peer through the sights. A surveyor!-but none of those whom Somers had known to be at the disposal of the good land-owners of Redland. A second look was taken :—yes, there now could be no doubt-it was Howard Astiville. But the young gentleman has an assistant with him, and-who would believe it? the assistant wears a bonnet! The figure turns, and at thrice that distance of twenty yards it would be easy to recognize the lovely features of Sidney Everlyn. "Do not so misjudge me," rejoined the lawyer, "as to believe that the discovery of truth can ever cause me pain; or if I were capable of wishing anything concealed, you would do no more than right to drag it forth into open day, and convince me of the disappointment. I do not desire. to lead you into any unwilling announcement, yet if you have found the true boundary of Roland Compton's grant, I am sure I ought to rejoice, for it will relieve me from a very great embarrassment." Howard, glancing towards Sidney, said, "We have no secrets, Mr. Somers. We are content to declare to you now, everything that we expect to declare before your face in Court. Our investigations have not been fruitless. So abundant, in truth, are the results obtained, that it would be niggardly to deny you a participation in the enjoyment of them. The Lower Branch is the Hardwater." "Indeed ?" "Yes: and if you feel disposed I will take pleasure in pointing out this new evidence which we have obtained.". Somers dismounted, and began to examine the papers offered to his perusal. Sidney blushed, and so did Howard. "Ah, do not let me interrupt you," said "This," said Howard, "is the copy of Somers. Broad highways are to open bean old survey-it is not presented as the hind you, I presume-arteries, to carry original, please to take notice, Mr. Somers. the blood of civilization into these woody I leave your clients in sole possession of solitudes; or perhaps you resort to the the sweets of forgery. Though not a very compass to enable you to follow some practised surveyor, as you may imagine, I vagrant swarm of bees? Do I then hail a have been running out this west line, and new Aristaus, Mr. Astiville, and can this find that it reaches no farther than to the fair vision at your side be one of the forms Lower Branch. The survey was made at of the bee-god, Proteus? Or is my first the instance of old Jeremy Compton, to guess nearer the truth ?-Are you the Gen. mark off a portion for his daughter, at her Wade of our century, and has the Genius marriage. She died, without leaving of the land appeared under the similitude children, and the land reverted to the of Miss Everlyn to guide and encourage father. Perhaps you were unaware of the your labors ?" existence of the survey, or if not, perceived that it would be no advantage to Miss "No, sir,” replied Howard, "I am not a Newlove to bring it forward. How was it, Mr. Somers ?" "I was well enough aware of the document," replied the lawyer," and had read it in the clerk's office.' Sidney, on hearing this avowal, sent forth one of those keen looks with which she had lately been so much in the habit of favoring him. Somers did not wince. Turning with a pleasant smile to Howard, he said: "If you will take the trouble to reckon up the Latitudes and departures, you will observe that there is an error somewhere of no less than nine hundred poles. The west line is given here as 105 poles-supply a cipher at the end and the whole becomes consistent. But 1050 poles will bring you to the Upper Branch. One hundred and five poles, by the way, did not even bring you quite to the Lower Branch-did it ?" Howard owned that it did not. "I thought as much," continued the other, "There is no supposition which can reconcile the survey with its own conditions but that of the omission of the cipher in the statement of the west line." Howard looked blank: Then making a strong effort to force a little cheerfulness into his countenance, he inquired the reason why Somers, if the case stood as he represented, had not used the survey as evidence in behalf of his clients. "I will tell you: I knew that twelve plain men are very apt to be bewildered by paper calculations of this sort. Prudence compels a lawyer many times to refrain from urging the arguments which are most convincing to his own judgment." "Then it seems," said Sidney, quickly, that boasted Law is the most unceryour tain of all ordeals." "It is a shrewd conjecture," answered Somers, "but I believe there is nothing certain in this world-except a lady's favor. I was going on to say, however, Mr. Astiville, that I had another reason for not availing myself of the evidence afforded by this paper I thought it probable that the opposite parties might save me the trouble of bringing it into Court." "I understand you," interrupted Howard," the plan was to seize the moment of our fancied security, to give us a blow which might prove fatal. You hoped to serve us in this matter as you had served us about the tree and broken stone, at the Sulphur Spring. But, I thank Heaven, you are to be disappointed." "And to what do I owe the said disappointment, Mr. Astiville?" "You are fishing for gratitude in this query," answered Howard, “but I must say, frankly, that you will get little from me If there be such a mistake as you allege in this survey, be assured we should have discovered it without the aid of your candor and acumen. Or even if we had gone on in our error, I profess that it is better to be deceived one's-self, than to practice deceit upon others. I prefer our survey here, with all its imperfections, to that well-concocted forgery which you consider yourself bound to justify and abet." "Abet?" repeated Somers, frowning. "I do not mean," said Howard, correcting himself, "to charge you with any participation in the crime itself. You were far too sagacious, and doubtless, I ought to add, too honest, to dabble in such roguery. But when you defend the perpetrator, and assist her to prosecute the same scheme, though by means less disreputable and dangerous, I cannot look upon you-" "Look upon me how, Mr. Astiville? Do not hesitate to speak your mind.” "I cannot regard you," continued Howard, "as one from whom I would be willing to receive any-the most trifling obligation. Nor can I forget, Mr. Somers, that the same person who is so tender of the reputation of this unprincipled young woman, scrupled not to foul his lips with the blackest insults to a man who stands higher than himself in public estimation -a man of unstained honor-a gentleman -one who never yet, I am proud to sayy-has done anything to entitle him to a lodging in the penitentiary! You are able to admire Emma Newlove, while you hate and vilify my father." "My conscience," replied Somers, calmly, "justifies both the liking and the disliking. "Oh, how excellent a thing it is," exclaimed Howard, "to have a pretty word like Conscience always ready at one's call." Somers retorted promptly, "It is a better thing to have some knowledge of the subject which one is talking about, whether it be a Survey or the conduct of a fellow creature." Howard, with a countenance that was indebted for its glow in part to confusion, and in part to anger, answered with vehemence, "You know a great deal, Mr. Somers a great deal-I do not dispute it; you are far better informed than we can be of the length of Miss Newlove's rent-roll, and consequently of her claims upon your sympathy, but the rest of us, sir, though not admitted to the same precious intimacy, are not cut off from the power of observation. Indeed, we have, in some respects, an advantage. Partiality dims your superior vision or perhaps the very proximity to the young lady's resplendent charms, dazzles you allow me to perform the friendly part of putting at your service the results of our disembarrassed scrutiny. We know what a spirit has its home behind those meek and saintly features, which have had so fascinating an influence. I beheld them, sir, when the veil of hypocrisy was torn from them-I saw how detected guilt shrank aghast. When I remember that scene in Court, I could pity her;' and almost pardon, if that confusion and speechless terror of the conscience-stricken woman had borne fruit in penitence. Ah! Mr. Somers, I trust it is not encouragement ministered by you, that nerves her to defy public opinion, and the salutary discipline of remorse!" Somers made an impatient movement of his hand, but refrained from speaking. "You have charged me, sir," continued Howard, "to speak only of what I know. It is not your wish, I presume, that I should become quite a Carthusian-you are willing to have me open my lips sometimes. Now there are very few subjects indeed which I claim to understand exactly and entirely, but if there is anything-besides my own existence and the truth of Scripture of which I am reasonably sure, it is Emma Newlove's guilt. I know that she is reckless, destitute of all feminine delicacy, capable of being restrained by no considerations of honesty, utterly vile, worse than the common thief, worthy to be branded as a convict and to be scouted from society-" "Stop!" exclaimed Somers, "for shame's sake, stop!-Since you are no grown people, which you claim to enter. Remember, sir, that you are not on a playground amongst a throng of rowdy urchins. Talk the language of gentlemen." At this rebuke, a convulsive quiver passed through Howard's frame. With his grating teeth, and clenched hands, and livid face, he seemed ready to bound like an enraged beast, upon the lawyer, who recovered his own composure in viewing the spectacle of such almost frantic fury. "Somers!" said the youth, "you shall answer for this! I will meet you where and in what way you please- แ Come," he added, stamping upon the ground, "the interval must be short between such an insult and expiation! Come! let us go instantly, unless you would have me knock you down like a dog! Come! or I'll brand you as equally villain and coward!" Sidney, terrified by the sudden explosion, interposed. "This must not be," she said," Richard, go not-Howard, be calm." "Calm !" echoed Howard, Yes, surely-calm I am and will be; but would you have me put up with degradation, Sidney? Shall I suffer open, flagrant dishonor to pass unpunished?--No!" Turning then to Somers, and speaking in a low, deliberate voice, which told of passion only the more intense that it was partially smothered, he said "There can be no more trifling-let us begone-what else is to be transacted can better be arranged in another place than in the presence of a lady." "I will not take you at your word," replied Somers, "a little reflection will suggest other thoughts. For my own part, no false pride shall prevent me from declaring that I meant not to wound your feelings thus severely." "Pshaw!" interrupted Howard, "It shall be seen that I am no child, to be coaxed into good humor by a few sweetened phrases. I still hold you to an account." Somers walked up to the compass, which was standing near by, and shook it with his hand till the index vibrated over a space of ninety degrees on either side. "I will make no reply," he said, "till that longer amenable to the ferule of the school-load-stone has settled in its place; and unmaster, young man, consider that there are proprieties to be observed in this world of less your demand is then repeated, I will consider it as having never been made." Somers, Sidney, Howard, stood as still as a marble group. The curly-headed chain-carriers leaned, the one on his right elbow, the other on his left, while their countenances expressed the most eager expectation. carefully modulated tones, "that you have rendered yourself fairly obnoxious to complaint. If filial piety is insufficient to justify my speaking, as the representative of the man whom you must confess to have been unworthily slandered, I have at least a right to open my mouth as the friend of Miss Everlyn and her father. This Newlove girl is strenuously laboring to effect the ruin of a time-honored family in which you and I are now both of us guests. Professing the warmest at ing yourself unfettered by any ties which might compel you to do it harm, you voluntarily engage in defence of the adversary, and you choose the very moment when the universal voice of the community denounces her as an infamous, though unconvicted, criminal. And so far are you carried by zeal for this woman, that if I here, on the land of Mr. Everlyn, undertake to speak of her in the terms which she deserves, you interpose a flat denial, and lecture me for my youthful imperti As Howard's down-cast eye watched how the needle moved slower and slower, many a vision glided before his mental sight. He saw a fellow man weltering in blood-he saw the fatal weapon of the duellist dashed in horror upon the ground -then he saw his own form staggering-tachment to the Everlyn name, and declarprostrate he saw those features, which the glass that hung in his bedroom had taught him to recognize, distorted and ghastlyhe could almost behold the half-uttered prayer which the heavens would not receive, but which was beaten back to crush the panting and dying heart from which it had issued. Afterwards, there rose up in front of him, the gaunt, white-haired figure of the being who dwelt in the lonely cabin. He thought of the shattered gun, and the burst of impotent wrath which had succeeded. The admonition of that strange tutor sounded in his ears- -"The demon, Temper," was he not now unchained? A moment's sin-the everlasting remorse! Was he to choose such a fate? Oh! what a blessing that the evil doom was not already upon him! The darkness, though imminent, had not yet fallen on his path of life. His own hand had need to be lifted ere the beams of the cheerful sun would be forever cut off. nence!" "The lecture you speak of, Mr. Astiville, was unintended; the denial, however abrupt, was but truth." "and One "Truth!" resumed Howard, what warrant have we for that? man's single assertion. You affirm Emma Newlove's innocence-the world affirms the contrary. Yet not even suspense of judgment is allowed us. This stranger girl is your friend, and must therefore be acknowledged spotless. Mr. Everlyn's friend, on the contrary, may be assailed with insolent abuse in Mr. Everlyn's own parlor! I appeal to Miss Everlyn; ought not the man to be blamed who acts thus, be he lawyer, or what not ?” The brief moment had elapsed. The needle was still. Sober-judging reason had resumed his seat, and Howard could recognize how much he had escaped through his rival's forbearance. Yet it fretted him to reflect that he had required the aid of Somers to enable him to rule his own spirit. "I also," said Somers, directing his It was a bitter mortification, too, that Syd- eyes toward Sidney," appeal to Miss Evney stood there to witness the triumph of the erlyn. Would I not be unworthy of the hated lawyer. He would so far take ad- vital air that keeps me in existence, if I vantage of this, the second and sharpest refused to stand up in behalf of a weak, lesson he had received in those Hardwater unfriended, innocent female? Confidentwoods, as to remain hereafter cool and only do I look to you, Miss Everlyn, for his guard. He would not afford Somers I know that you cannot forget what claims another opportunity to display the superi- every member of your sex must have upon ority of self-possession over impetuous fury, a man's courtesy, his liberal construction, but he should prove, that although his support, his succor. Be you my judge instructed, he was not reduced to confu---I want no better-but put on the robe sion or to silence. of justice. Separate yourself from all "I think, Mr. Somers," said he, in those personal considerations that might |