Harper's New Monthly Magazine

rts of London much frequented by lawyers. A lady of advancing years sat in an easy-chair; the worsted-work with which she had been occupied was thrown aside, and she had placed her hand fondly upon t

not have been more exquisitely moulded, and they were pale as the pure

dressed with a plainness which formed a contrast to the elegant attire of the younger lady. One sat befo

d from her youngest daughter's head, "I think you should

istle is just finished, and I wa

nvent?" inquired

t

a saucy smile-in which might be traced a d

lder sisters; the one looking up from her book, which was a Roman

ook a note from it, and broke the seal. The man quitted the room, and Frances, like

ys he shall bring home a client to dinner-a nobleman, who will probably take a bed at ou

of her elder daughters. "It is handsome and good: will

Mary? it is a nobleman who is coming, did you not hear?" And bending forwa

ng, it may be as well to give a sho

spirits had been subdued to gloom. The world and all its concerns was to them a sin; and they decidedly deemed that no person was worthy to live in it, save those who were continually out of it "in the spirit," and whose time was passed in the offices of religion, and in ecclesiastical acerbities. They returned home young women, while their little sister, the willful child, Frances, was but eight years of age. Most passionately fond of this child, coming to them so ma

s, taking their tone from their superiors, made her their idol, or professed to do so. The most insidious flatteries were poured into her ear, and every hour in the day, one eagerly drank-in theme was whispered there-the beauty of Miss Frances. This indulgence, coupled with that fo

isses and presents, implored Frances to be more attentive; but Frances heard her whisper to the governess not to be harsh with her darling child. It was a continued scene of struggle for mastery, and Mrs. Mainwaring threw up her engagement. A French lady was procured in her place, who had the accommodation, to use no more reprehensible term, to assimilate her views to those of Miss Frances. And so she grew up; her e

n that a noble stranger was to partake of their hospitality. Mr. Hildyard was standing before the fire with a gentleman. They both moved as she advanced

e and courteous beyond any that she had hitherto formed acquain

ther hand. The two elder sisters, in their quiet gray silk dresses, sat oppo

he was conscious that he regarded her with no common admiration. She

s in the hands of the Jews. The respectable old earl, his father, shocked and astonished, had, in the first flush of anger, refused to assist him, and the viscount, threatened with arrest, and not daring to apply to the family-solicitor, had

ung gentleman occurred to their minds-possessed not the time to attend to it, what with their voluminous correspondence kept up with the convent, and their multifa

er; it is too early yet to say, attached-but the seeds for that were sown. He quitted the house, but not to remain absent from it forever-now a morning visit, now a friendly dinner with them. Neither did it seem any thing but a natural occurrence that h