most earnest observation. Justina in particular engaged his attention, as the sister of Augusta. He thought her lovely and interesting; but oh! how inferior to her transcendent sister! in dazzling beauty, she was indeed inferior; the soft red of her cheek was faint when contrasted with the crimson glow of Augusta. Her blue eyes, though fraught with every feeling that could touch the soul, seemed but the radiance of moonlight when near the sun-bright eyes of Augusta.

In form and stature, Justina resembled her sister, but she had more of that grace which mind diffuses over the person, and which constitutes the mysterious charm of beauty. By nature as ingenuous as her sister, yet full of reflection; delicate and diffident, she indulged not in those heedless sallies with which her more youthful sister delighted her auditors. The uncommon softness of her nature spread a kind of feminine attraction over her whole figure; it was an emanation so sweet, that it seemed to infuse its own tenderness into every heart that approached her.

When Arlington and Elmore had departed late in the evening, Louisa Ranmore broke out in the most extravagant praises of the latter. "What wit, what genius, what sparkling black eyes; surely no heart can withstand them." "I hope, sister, that yours will be able to withstand them," said George Ranmore, "for by their direction,

I think I can discover that he cannot give you a heart in return." Augusta blushed with secret pleasure-"I don't want his heart," said Louisa; "surely, brother, one may admire a gentleman's eyes, without longing for his heart." "Perhaps so," replied her brother, "but yet a gentleman would fancy such a speech as yours to be very encouraging;—but pray who was that very grave gentleman, Augusta, who entered last ?" "It was Mr. Arlington." "Mr. Arlington, is it ?" said Louisa, "I took himit?" for Cato the Censor; I suspect that he is a gentleman that never amuses himself much with laughing; what a starched, stupid creature he seems to be; but I beg your pardon, Augusta, perhaps he is a lover of yours." "A lover!" exclaimed Augusta, "oh, no! he is a philosopher." "And does. that prevent him from being in love," said Ranmore, smiling. "Why, yes, if his philosophy is natural.' "I wish then," said George," he would tell me where he learned his natural philosophy; but you say nothing, Miss Melross;-pray what do you think of Mr. Arlington ?" "I think," replied Justina," that his face is a very intelligent one, and though he was so silent, he looks as if he could say a great deal." " My sister is right," said Augusta; "Mr. Arlington is a very sensible and excellent man; and Dr. Johnson himself could not talk more learnedly than he can, when he plea

ses."

"I am

"Oh, dear," cried Louisa, glad then he chose to be silent, for such high talk would not suit my unlettered ears. I suspect, though, that he will be a great favourite with Justina, and I would advise Mr. Philosopher to take care of his heart.""His heart," replied Justina, " cannot be in much danger from me, after resisting the charms of Augusta." "Ah!" thought George Ranmore," he might have resisted the charms of the whole world, and yet find yours resistless."

66

After passing a week at A-, Louisa and her brother returned to New-York, for it was still early in the spring, and midsummer was the time when Louisa's annual visit was generally made.

It was with extreme delight and gratitude, that Justina again took possession of her own room, and resumed with her aunt and sister, her accustomed employments. Her days passed full of peace and serenity, in the conscientious discharge of every known duty, and in the sweet sense of approving heaven. To the affection which she found at home, and her friendship with Catharine Marley, was now added a higher tone of society, in that of Arlington and Elmore, who were daily with them either at home, or in delightful walks abroad, with which the romantic environs of A-abounded. As Elmore had been the walking companion of Augusta, by long habit,

Arlington of course fell to the share of Justina, whenever the narrowness of the path separated the sisters, or its obstructions, or steepness, required assistance, or guidance. Accustomed to converse with her father from her childhood, about all she learned or read, Arlington found in Justina a companion, capable not only of comprehending and appreciating his stores of literature, and themes still more exalted, but of contributing a large share of her own knowledge and sentiments, to enhance the value of the intellectual repast. But still, though the society of Justina afforded him much pleasure, his heart was faithful to all its fondness for Augusta; and Justina was interesting to him chiefly as her sister, and her friendship he embraced as a solace to his unfortunate attachment. Not so, Elmore; he directly felt the charms of Justina's conversation, and listened and gazed from day to day with increasing admiration, until all the glowing beauty of Augusta lost its power, when compared with the superior grace and expressive countenance of her sister. The vivacity of Augusta no more interested him. "What a happiness," said he to himself, "to be loved by one of such mind and sensibility; and why may I not cherish the hope." His opinion of himself by no means forbade such hopes. Still he was painfully placed as it respected Augusta. He had never, it is true, declared an attach

ment, but he was too honourable not to feel, that though he had not explicitly avowed his love, his frequent visits, peculiar attentions, and flattering speeches, expressive of devotedness, amounted to the same thing, and were viewed by Augusta in the same light. Nor did he think without much compunction, of the artless heart which had been won by his attentions, and which his delinquency, he feared, would wound most deeply. "And yet," cried he, " is it honourable to marry a woman whom I no longer love with a heart too so deeply impressed with the excellence of another, so much more preferred? I am sure, I should thank no woman for marrying me with such sentiments; besides, Augusta would soon forget it such joyous spirits, springing from health and youth, will not easily be consumed by love or grief. A deserted Justina might die, but Augusta, with her extraordinary beauty and lively disposition, will achieve many conquests, and I have no doubt, that it will not be long before she will view some other, as she now views me.” Thus believing what it wished, reasoned the inconstant heart of Elmore. He had already formed his plan of conduct, which was gradually to decline in his attentions to Augusta, (indeed with the decline of her power to interest him, his attentions were already in their wane,) until she could not help perceiving his indifference. This would