"do not disappoint me; Agatha can go with me, and you know she always takes care of me."

"You do not always mind Agatha, my dear," answered her mother," and I suspect you will extend your walk too far. You cannot bear much fatigue."

this tree; and she will be very angry with me if I let you go beyond it."

"I thought I would make you talk," said Aileen, and she bounded past her like a young fawn. Agatha in attempting to pursue her, entangled her foot in the root of a tree and fell to the ground; "Indeed and indeed, mamma, I will not go a quar- in endeavoring to recover herself, she lost sight of ter of an inch beyond the old elm at the foot of the her charge, who, discovering the advantage she had mountain, and you always let me go as far as that." gained, and being bent on mischief, darted into a Her mother, however, did not consent, and Ai-thicket of hazel bushes and set herself down very leen betook herself to a distant corner of the room, complacently to enjoy the chagrin of her perplexed and there she sat in a very sorrowful mood. Her waiting-woman. mother became very uneasy and directed a servant to get the perspective glass and show Aileen the pictures.

"I don't want to see them," mumbled Aileen. "You cannot walk this evening, my love; let Eva get your doll; I will give you a new dress for it of this pretty blue satin, and Eva will assist you in making it."

"Take that old baby away!" screamed Aileen, as Eva approached her. "I wont have it-I want to walk, I say."

Her mother still objected to her leaving home, and several other amusements were offered, but all in vain; nothing would do but the walk. At last, wearied out with her importunities and the headache, her misguided mother rang the bell for Agatha, and after giving her many injunctions for the safety of the child, permitted them to set out on their little excursion.

The gloom soon disappeared from the face of Aileen; she had gained her point, and she tripped across the lawn with buoyant step and heart light and playful as the passing zephyr, which now and then disturbed the sunny curls on her brow.

66

'Agatha," said she, “I knew mamma would let me come; for I was determined to cry until she said yes. I can always tire her out when she has that headache." Agatha loved the child—she sighed deeply, but remained silent.

"Agatha!" said Aileen, and she almost jerked the servant's sleeve from her arm, "why don't you talk? You are in one of your mum, mum humors now, and you always are when I want you to talk come, tell me some of your pretty stories," and she pulled her sleeve again.

Agatha made no reply, and Aileen with a menacing look, said, "I'll pay you for this, madam; I'll be bound you'll be sorry for this before we get home again."

When they reached the Elm, Agatha sat down to rest, and invited her companion to do so also, but she refused to stop. "I intend to go the other side of the mountain," she said; "I never was there, and maybe I can find some wild strawberries."

"Indeed you must not, Miss Aileen," answered Agatha ; you promised your mother to stop at

She did not, however, enjoy herself long, for in peeping through the leaves, to see if Agatha had discovered her hiding-place, her eyes rested on a large serpent, coiled in an attitude of assault. In her alarm and confusion to hurry from a place which had caused her so much terror, she emerged in an opposite direction; and found herself in a small meadow encircled with trees and carpeted with long silken grass interspersed with flowers of various hues. From the midst of this meadow there issued a fountain of clear water, bubbling through rocks of alabaster whiteness, meandering gently in a limpid stream, forming at the bottom a small lake, or pond, the sides of which were studded with shells of curious form, and shining pebbles of changing color, glistening and sparkling in the light of evening like so many little suns. The border of the lake was adorned with a hedge of rose and myrtle bushes, intermingled with vines dipping their long branches in the water beneath, as if sporting with the little silver trout which played on its surface. The fragrant atmosphere, pure and balmy as the breath of spring, emitted a light resembling the adamant in brightness. ple and golden winged butterflies revelled on the sweet petals of the flowers, while the harmonious melody of birds added to the enchantment of the

scene.

Pur

Aileen forgetting for a few moments her fright, stared in mute astonishment at the objects around her; she then stepped to the fountain, played with the water, and applied some of it to her lips with the palm of her hand. She had taken but a few sips, when her desolate situation rushed into her mind and she began to cry most piteously.

At this moment her attention was arrested by approaching footsteps, and turning hastily around, expecting to see Agatha, she found herself in the presence of a stranger. She involuntarily retreated a few steps and took a survey of the being before her.

She beheld a lady of placid countenance and very light airy figure, habited in a dress of seagreen interwoven with silver; across her shoulders was thrown an azure scarf of so fine a texture it might have been taken for a floating cloud; on her head she wore a diadem of pearls; her earrings and bracelets were composed of gems rich

and rare-her feet dressed with sandals curiously wrought with corals and shells.

"Take this," she said; "the day thou art eighteen hang it up, and the effect will be wonderful." Aileen gazed a short time on the stranger, and "Do take this hateful glass, Agatha,” said Aiagain cried louder than before. The lady ap leen after they parted from the fairy, "and never proached softly and patting her on the cheek, said let me see it again. I despise that woman, and in a tone of commiseration, "Why weepest thou, want none of her presents.' sweet one?" "I think you have little reason to dislike her,

“Oh, madam! I have left my nurse, and lost Miss Aileen. I'm sure she was very kind in bringmy way, and know not what to do." ing you to me; and but for her you might have "Why did'st thou leave thy nurse?" asked the been this night devoured by beasts, not to say anylady. thing about myself, for I'm very sure I would not Aileen in her childish manner related the adven-have gone home without you." tures of the evening. "And oh!" said she clasping her little hands, "what will become of me? and my poor mother-she loves me so much."

66

Agatha, she told me I was bad, and that my mother did not love me. She can't fool me and make me believe that, and besides, I hate any one who tells me I do wrong; and if I did, it was none of her business."

Agatha concealed the mirror; and they hastened home.

"Thou hast mistaken the nature of true love, As Aileen advanced in years, the evils which my child; thy mother loves thee not, and tells thee had been suffered to infect her childhood became false-thou art not good, and hast behaved very more and more ingrafted into her character. badly this evening in disobeying thy mother and From being a petulant, troublesome child, she bedistressing thy nurse: knowest thou not it is an came a haughty, tyrannical woman: and the death unchangeable law, that the pain we wantonly in- of her mother made her the sole imperious misflict on others will, at some time, recoil with two-tress of her father's household.

fold violence on ourselves."

"How dare you," said Aileen, stepping back with an undaunted air-and her cheek reddened with anger, "How dare you say I am bad, and and that my mother loves me not-she allows no one to tell me that ;—you don't know my motherI never heard her speak of you-you were never at our house, and I don't even know your name." Thou hast a bit of curiosity, too," smilingly answered the stranger; "it belongeth to thy sex. Thy mother ought to know me: my name is Femaqua: I am the fairy who presided at thy birth and have ever hovered about thy path."

"A fairy!" cried Aileen, clasping her hands with surprise. "Agatha has told me many stories about the fairies are you the woman who gave Cinderella the pretty glass slippers."

Time rolled on. The celebration of Aileen's eighteenth birth-day engrossed her attention. All the gentry around were invited, and great preparations were making for a grand fête.

The day arrived, and all the arts that fashion and taste could devise were employed on the occasion. After superintending the decoration of her rooms, Aileen retired to her own apartment to prepare herself for the reception of her guests. She rang the bell several times for Agatha, but no Agatha appeared; this threw her into a violent pet, and she began the business of the toilette alone. She threw off one thing and put on another—yet nothing seemed to become her-the fact is, her features were distorted with passion, and she at last seated herself in total despair of gaining that even

"No, I am not; but I am the Lady of the Crys-ing the admiration she so much desired. tal Spring, and it is a boon granted to each one who tastes of its waters for the first time, to have a wish gratified:-thou hast sipped at that fountain name thy wish."

While thus employed, Agatha bolted into the room exclaiming, "La! Miss Aileen, you have forgot-this is the very day the fairy told you to hang the looking-glass. I have been hunting it

“And will you, indeed," said Aileen with an one hour and found it at last in the very bottom of incredulous air, “give me what I want?"

"Certainly I would not deceive thee."

my chist and I am in such a fidget to see how it will be. You know she said the effect would be

"Then take me to Agatha-it's all I want in wonderful." this world."

The fairy instantly granted her desire, much to the relief of the distressed nurse, who was search. ing every nook and corner for the lost child, in a state little short of distraction.

Before Femaqua left them, she pulled from her bosom a small mirror confined in a gilded case and presented it to Aileen.

VOL. XIII-79

"You would have been better employed helping me to dress, than looking for that old fusty glass; I'm sure I thought it was lost long ago: do put it down and come to my assistance. We'll try the experiment some other time-I'm too perplexed now to attend to it.”

66

But. Miss, this is the very time she set and no other under the canopy will do; any other day

"Twere but an ill requital to doubt my power,"" can disturb me, with all the blessings you promreplied the fairy; it becometh not the Lady of ise?" the Crystal Spring to hold vain parlance with sinful mortals like thyself-thou mayest be quick, or I will leave thee."

It cometh of evil to enquire into futurity," answered the fairy; "but be assured I speak truth— waved her wand emphatically-"no earthly blessremember"-here the Lady of the Crystal Spring ing bringeth true pleasure if misused-by an improper use, our dearest blessings may become curses-howbeit, when thou hast been a wife twelve months, if called for I will visit thee again."

Aileen turned to reply, but Femaqua was gone, and the Magic Mirror had resumed its former size.

The prediction of the fairy was verified. A talbert, a rich and powerful prince, sought and won the fair prize for which brave knights and noble cavaliers had contended; and grand and imposing was the retinue which escorted Aileen to the far distant empire of her illustrious husband. His royal palace was magnificent beyond description, and

there its proud mistress enjoyed every delight which wealth could purchase.

A year transpired in all the luxury of sensual gratification, and the young couple still basked in the sun-beams of earthly prosperity.

and instead of loving my companionship, I see it gives relief when he can with propriety leave me ; and of late he pursues with eagerness those masculine amusements, of which he knows I cannot partake. Besides, Femaqua, when one is loved, The anniversary of their wedding was celebra- one knows it ;-coldness too is felt-and there are ted with feasting and merriment. Yet while the those among the ladies of my court, who can draw gay crowd still revelled in the stately halls, Ai- forth a blander smile from the Prince than his own leen retired to her chamber, and dismissing her wedded wife. My courtiers and servants pay me attendants with the order that she was not to be the most profound attention and are obedient to my disturbed, threw herself on a superb couch weary commands: yet there is a sphere around them and dispirited. The room in which she reclined which convinces me theirs is not a willing service. was furnished with all the ornamental taste and I know I am disliked, and my proud soul disdains true magnificence which belongs to oriental style, attentions which are not sincere-my lofty and ambut Aileen heeded not the grandeur by which she bitious heart revolts at service paid by those who was surrounded. The air was impregnated with a hate me. My father and my mother and good Agapleasant odor exhaled from the rare exotics and tha, they loved me-but now, alas! they are no aromatic shrubs which adorned the court yard-more; and could I have retained Atalbert's heart, but Aileen enjoyed it not. The sound of music it might have filled the void they left behind ;-

thus, vain regrets, distrust, and jealousy engender thoughts which rankle in my heart and still destroy my peace. Oh! Femaqua, all I ask is that you will make those around me warm and affectionate. You do possess some charm to rule my husband's love."

fell indistinctly on her ear, but it only added to her inquietude. The rich attire and costly ornaments which adorned her person, all sparkling in the lustre lights, seemed but a mockery to the desolation which reigned in her bosom. While absorbed in gloomy reflections, the words of Femaqua at their last interview rushed forcibly on her recollection, "Thon desirest more than I can bestow," calmly "Thou wilt roll in wealth-but Happiness will be a answered the fairy. stranger to thy bosom."

How truly," thought she, has that prophecy"Nought but love can answer love and render bliss secure." been fulfilled." She remembered, too. the promise

self-love? I could not, would not force thy husband's love--and were it done, 'twould make a mere machine of thy conjugal partner-for liberty is all that makes the man. Love is the spontane

of the fairy to visit her, if required, twelve months"Thinkest thou canst retain the affection of othafter her marriage; and she trembled, she knew ers, whilst thou art governed by a principle of not why, when she suspended the Magic Mirror to the wall. The reflection of her own undiminished beauty in its enlarged face somewhat soothed the turbulence of her spirit, and for the first time she was pleased at beholding-the Lady of the Crys-ous growth of hearts sincere;-with proper treattal Spring.

"Oh, my friend!" she exclaimed, bursting into tears, "your power is unlimited; make me happy, for I am miserable."

"My power is great, Aileen, but thine towards thyself is greater," said Femaqua ; "if thou believest thou canst obtain true happiness by arbitrary means thou reasonest falsely; real delight exists only in freedom. Were I to force thee into a state, which I would deem the greatest bliss, 'twould prove thy veriest misery; but why should the wife of Atalbert be unhappy? she whose word is but the mandate of his kingdom."

Not all the wealth and power he has conferred can satisfy my aspiring mind, when I know too well that he has ceased to love me."

ment and judicious care it may be trained to Heaven. But yet, alas! when rudely bended by the hand of scorn, or chafed by servitude, or forced to yield, it rarely keeps its verdure, but withers, droops and dies, so tender is its nature. Know, foolish woman, wouldst thou be beloved, thou must become a form of love thyself."

"He inconstant, Aileen-sayest thou that of and all natural bodies will be decomposed—even Atalbert, the noblest of Princes ?"

this fine form must fade and die by the hand of "Yes, even of Atalbert, and I speak the truth. Time, and become food for worms; but there is an When first we married, he seemed to live but in existence or form within, which will survive the my presence; but now, although he seeks to hide wreck of matter.' This beautiful external is but it, I know and feel he cherishes no longer that soft the covering of the mind, or soul, that dwells within and tender passion which once reigned in his bosom; it, which is thy real self, and which must live for

state.

"The mind, or soul," replied Aileen, "has not a form. I have been taught to believe it is a volatile substance which gives life to mortal bodies, and when they decay it becomes ethereal; how, Femaqua, would we apply shape or size to ether?"

ever-symmetrical, or deformed, according to your worshipped self. He infringed not on thy rights Aileen, couldst thou see thyself as thou and thou hast well repaid his liberality by the most really art, methinks it would convince thee that unreasonable requisitions; thou art ever on some thou art not a form of love, or a form to be be-scheme of self-love, regardless of his comfort, or loved." convenience; thou hast treated his mild counsels with scorn and contempt-and so imperious is thy disposition, (to use a mortal phrase,) he "scarcely calls his soul his own" since thee he wedded; for, were it possible, thou wouldst command his very thoughts, and thus the soft connubial tie has been converted to a knot of bondage. Wearied out by thy continual chiding, Atalbert now seeks other means to divert his mind than thy companionship. Know, dear Aileen, thine own most vicious heart has been the barrier between Atalbert's love and thine. This barrier can be removed. I have been thy guardian spirit from infancy, until the present day. Closely did I watch the steps of thy childhood, but thy mother's bad management produced around thee such a dense atmosphere of falsehood and evil, that it was with difficulty I approached As she finished speaking, the fairy inverted the near enough to do thee good. I have borne with glass and there emanated from it a light both soft thy manners and indulged thy fancy to gain access and silvery, and yet, so clear and bright that it to thy heart: having succeeded thus far, I counsel seemed to eclipse the brilliant lamps which illumi- thee as thou wouldst be happy, to amend the evils nated the chamber of Aileen, and she started with of thy life. Yet I would not deceive thee-the dismay and horror at the very hideous form reflect-process of this change will be long and painful; it ed by that light in the Magic Mirror.

"Thy teaching is fallacious," returned Femaqua," and flows from mundane light. We call the soul immortal, and if it live, it would require a real form to make it a distinctive being; but I can convince thee: this mirror possesses a quality of which thou hast been hitherto ignorant. The plate before thee is viewed in natural light and shows the external only; but there is a plate behind which beams unearthly light, and in it one may behold one's interior or lasting character-it reflects the image of the soul."

cannot be performed in a few moments as an ex

“Look!" said Femaqua, "that is Aileen as she ternal change can be. No-it will require time, is. Dost call that a form of love?"

"Oh, you cruel woman!" cried Aileen, with the keenest anguish depicted in her countenance, "why, oh why did you reveal that secret? It has rendered me more wretched than ever." 99

patience and forbearance too. Let love of rule extend towards thyself, and learn to govern that impetuous temper of thine. To others exercise the golden rule of doing unto them as thou wouldst have them do to thee. Delay not this repentance. "It was revealed for thy benefit, my daughter; Oh, Beware! thy own volition is the pivot on evils cannot be removed unless seen, and it is that which turns thy fate. I leave thee free. Reflect the fiend-like spirit of thy mind may be reformed, deeply on what thou hast seen and heard this night, that this painful disclosure hath been made. The and profit by it. A year from this, if thou art wilLady of the Crystal Spring inflicts no wound that ling, I will be with thee again-then this Mirror cannot be healed. There is not a defect or defor-will show what change that time has effected. mity in that dreadful figure, but what corresponds Fare thee well."

to some interior evil by which thou hast been gov. Aileen attempted to detain her, but she vanisherned, and which cannot be changed by thine owned. She then turned to view herself once more exertions. That husband of thine is not an ordi- in the Magic Mirror, but it was safely concealed in nary man-Atalbert, the generous, the noble, and its gilded case. She fell, overpowered, on the the good, possesses a mind too profound to be long rich Mosaic floor, transfixed with grief;-there she allured by merely external show. When he mar- sat, in her grandeur, and pride, and misery. The ried thee, he vainly supposed that fascinating form poorest subject in her kingdom would not have enwhich attracted his attention was the prototype of the vied her at that time. She had seen herself for spirit within. The bland expression of thy face the first time, in the light of Truth, and she felt deceived him; and he attributed to thee qualities that she abhorred herself. It was a fearful sight; foreign to thy nature. Great, very great was his yet she did not entirely despair. Hope, that bright disappointment, when he found in thee no conge-beacon to the human soul, radiated her mind, and nial spirit to meet the glow of virtue which warmed she did not resist the appeal of the fairy. She did his heart. His generous nature hath been pained reflect-and her reflections prompted her to action. and distressed at thy narrow-minded selfishness. She commenced a combat with her evils with Thou hast trampled on the sacred principle of con- all the ardor and sanguineness which marked her jugal love, by indulging in freaks and tempers which character, and oftentimes she became victoriwould have wearied an angelic spirit. Thou hast ous. Her husband roamed abroad no longer for counted him as nothing in comparison with thy amusement and often lingered near her to catch