'Probably,' said Mr. Penn-'unless I meet Perry himself-or Harrison.'

Then I shall leave my sister in your charge,' said Thornton. But as he felt her hand involuntarily take closer hold of his arm, Thornton added with a half apologetic tone,

'I shall be home soon, Alie-before you are asleep, I dare say.'

She could only let him go-but so sorrowful were the thoughts sent after him, that not for some minutes did she remember the poor protection in which she was left. It was first brought to mind, when as Mr. Penn's eyes were engaged with the transparencies, the crowd and she came in rather rough contact. She spoke at once,

'You see what you have brought upon yourself, Mr. Penn-I must take you away from Commodore Perry and you must take me home.'

'With the greatest pleasure!' said Penn, who never forgot his good nature,- that is if I can-the crowd is so thick. Hadn't you better go down as far as the City Hotel ?'

'No I think not.'

'What made me speak of it,' said Penn, as they turned and began to walk up Broadway, 'the people are all going down just now, and you'd find it easier. I'm afraid it will be hard work for you to get along this way.'

It was rather hard work, and once Rosalie was nearly borne back by the down tide of population; when her other hand was taken and put on somebody's arm, and a quiet 'good evening, Miss Rosalie,' announced Mr. Raynor. If Miss Rosalie felt relief, so did Mr. Penn.

'It is the most remarkable thing in the world, Harry, that you always come just when I want you.'

It was not because you wanted me, in this case,' said his cousin.

'No, very likely not,' said Penn, but a bright idea has just come into my head; and I believe there'll be time for it yet, if Miss Clyde will only let me leave her with you-she has so little way to go now.'

She will let you with pleasure,' said Mr. Raynor.

'I dare say she will-she was always so good,' said Penn; and darting off without more ado, he left Rosalie to wonder that one man's way through the world should be so different from another's,-the crowd touched her no more that night.

'Do you know, Miss Rosalie,' said Mr. Raynor, as he stood with his hand on the bell, that in this good city you need better protection on some nights than on others?'

"Yes,' she said quickly, 'but- and then checking herself, she simply added, 'I know it.'

Mr. Raynor looked at her for a moment for every pane of glass in the whole house gave forth light; but as if he guessed what she did not tell him he asked no further questions. The bell was rung and they parted.

When Mr. Raynor reached his own home, he found that Mr. Penn had employed his spare time in getting candles and putting them in every window that he dared appropriate.

His own room's and Mr. Henry's and all that belonged to nobody in particular the garret, even the dining room had Mr. Penn enlivened to the extent of his power; and the house looked like a hotel of patriotism and treason. But the candles burned as if there had been never a quaker nor a traitor in the whole world.

The neighbourhood were at their wits end, to consider what would be the issue.

L'ESTRANGE.

,,,་་་,

ARE the Clydes coming to-night, mamma!' said Miss Clinton, as she took a last elaborate back and front view of herself.

+

'Yes, my dear-I suppose so-I invited them, of course.'

'But I mean are they coming-what does ail the neck of this dress ?'

'Nothing at all.'

'Nothing at all! when it twists round and puckers-'

'Because you don't look, ma'am. Let me shew youwhere's a card-now what do you think of that?-two inches below the sleeve, mamma!'

"I think my dear, that your grandmother would have thought two inches below the sleeve was no waist at all.'

Very likely ma'am, but the old lady didn't know everything. What makes you think the Clydes will come? They might have forgotten to send regrets.?

'I saw Mr. Clyde in the street to-day, and he said he should certainly come and bring his sister.'

'I should think he might, it will be such a small party.

But it's a dreadful thing to be so long out of society! one grows so shockingly old. Why mamma, she must be more than twenty.'

'Well my dear, so must you, if you live long enough.'

My dear ma'am what things you do always say to bring down one's spirits!-Just like Marion Arnet,-she told me other day-By the by she's just as much off as ever with Thornton Clyde.'

'Is that what she told you?'

'La no, mamma-what an idea! But I mean there's not the least prospect of their ever making it up.' And Miss Clinton surveyed herself in the glass with much complacency.

'I can't conceive what concern it is of yours, my dear.'

'No ma'am-perhaps not,-but one likes to talk.'

'I think however that one should talk goodnaturedly, when one can,' said Mrs. Clinton, as she got up and peeped over her daughter's shoulder. 'Dear me- -I look pale tonight! How should you like to have such remarks made about you, my dear?'

'Dear mamma!—as if I ever, ever could be such a fool! But Rosalie never does make disagreeable speeches, so I'm quite willing she should come; especially as she's so grave now and quiet. I suppose her engrossing power can hardly have survived these two years of seclusion.'

Miss Clinton wondered how it had survived, when she saw Rosalie enter the room and perceived that the engrossing power was in full force. It was only natural she tried to persuade herself, that people should crowd about one whom they had seen but seldom for a year or two; but a mere greeting did not seem to content them, and there were as many new as old friends in the circle that soon formed about Miss Clyde. Only over one person she

DIFFERENT LIGHTS.

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175

seemed to have lost her power. Mr. Raynor went up and paid his respects, and came away again,-therefore, as Miss Clinton remarked to herself, there could have been nothing in that.' The power had not descended to her, however, for he attached himself perseveringly to two old ladies; and was deep in a discussion upon the state of the roads, the streets, and the atmosphere, and just having his juvenile inexperience enlightened on the subject of hailstorms, when his fair hostess claimed his attention.

'Mr. Raynor, doesn't it seem very dull to you here, after Paris?'

'As the daylight after gas.'

Well that is pretty bad. Things look beautiful by gaslight, don't you think so?'

'Beautiful ?—some things,' said the gentleman, whose eye had made a momentary excursion after his thoughts. 'But candlelight is in general thought more becoming, Miss Clinton.'

'Do you think so? The other room is lighted with candles-let us go in there and see if the people look different.'

'By what rule of comparison will you judge of different people by different lights?' said Mr. Raynor, as he obediently gave the lady his arm.

'O we can compare each other,' said Miss Clinton laughing. 'But candles must be the most becoming, as you say, for all the oldest people have got in here to have the benefit of it.'

He looked grave and she changed the subject.

'How well Miss Clyde looks to-night-only rather pale.' 'What shade of colour puts a lady beyond the charge of paleness?'

'O I don't know-but she keeps herself so shut up.'
'I have reason to believe that you are mistaken there,