A Knight of the Nineteenth Century

t the proposal that she should become an ally in the effort to lure young Haldane from his evil associations, and awaken within him pure and refined tastes, was decidedly attractive.

the object and end of all masculine aspirations. On this occasion she simply desired to act the part of a humble assistant of Mrs. Arnot, whom

alk on the evils of fast living to save her life, but if she could keep young men from going to destruction by smiling upon them, by games of backgammon and b

same in a drawing-room and a tenement-house, and that all who seek to impro

s of fire falling on grains of harmless-looking black sand. She had never seen passion kindling and flaming till it seemed like a

a little winning kindness and interest, barely enough to keep the young fellow from spending his evenings out she knew not where. He was at just the age when the glitter and tinsel of public amusements are most attractive. She believed that if she could familiarize his mind with the real gold and clear diamond flash of pure home pleasures, and those which are enjoyed in good society, he would eventually become disgusted with gilt, varnish, and paste. If Laura had b

lures from snares, instead of into them, might make trouble for all concerned. Haldane was

of Haldane. Indeed, nearly all young men of sanguine temperaments go through the Romeo stage, and they are fortunate if they pass it without doing anything especially ridiculous or disastrous. These sudden attacks are exceedingly absurd to older and cooler friends, but to the vict

and what he chose to regard as his "undying love," interpreted all her actions, and gave volumes of meaning to a kindly glance or a pleasant word. Indeed, before there had been time to carry out, to any extent, the tactics her aunt had proposed, symptoms of his malady appeared. While she was regarding

gue-and to her mind, horrible-places of temptation, was becoming as adhesive as sticking-plaster. If she smiled, he smiled and ogled far too much in return. If she chatted with one and another of the young

was greatly annoyed and perplexed. At times his action seemed so absurd that she was glad to escape to her room, that she might give way to her merriment

nd circumspect, but the moment he was alone with L

her. She still regarded herself as a child, and that any one should be seriously in love with her after but a few days' acquaintance seemed

is to think no more about him, and let auntie manage her 'difficult case' without me. If I a

ing that this course would speedily cure him of his folly. She would venture into the parlor only when her aunt o

nd opportunity to give more than admiring glances to the little nun, who thus far had been secluded almost continuously in the safest of all cloisters-a country home. It was a decided novelty that a young man, almost six feet i

x. She could not forbear giving a quick glance occasionally to see how he was taking his lesson. At times he was scowling and angry, and then she could maintain her p

erienced matron enabled her to guess how matters stood. While Mrs. Arnot was perplexed and provoked by this new complication in Haldane's case, she was too kindly

only it would be necessary to impress upon them the fact that they were young, and that for years to come their minds should be largely occupied with other matters. Haldane certainly would not have been her choice for Laura, but if a strong attachment became the means of steadying him and of inciting to the

ears to come. Her education was unfinished; she was very immature, and should not make so important a choice

Laura had better return speedily to the safe asylum of her own home. She could then suggest to H

opportunity to insist upon his own acceptance. He was so possessed and absorbed by his emotions that he felt sure they would sweep away all obstacles. He imagined himself pleading his cause in a way that would melt a marble heart; and both vanity and hope had whispered th

as have many oth

e and disagreeable scenes. She was not long in discovering that the feeling, as yet, was all on the young man's sid

d, and while at dinner was obliged to succumb to one of her nervous headaches. Before retiring to her private r

sult of her indisposition, he would have Laura all to himself that evening. With

greeable this evening, to compen

provoked with herself that she

vening, Mr. Haldane; I am

own; but, as Mr. Arnot was at the tabl

and try to find am

seek for something else than amusement. When I was at your ag

way to make it tell upon my future," repli

lushing face of his niece, and drew his

licable as some of your perfor

it not for Mrs. Arnot's suffering condition and need of rest, Laura would then have told her of her trouble and asked permission to return home, and she determined to do this at the first opp

He acts as if I belonged to him and had no right to any will or wishes of my own. If he can't take the hints that I have given he must be as stupid and blind as an owl. In spite of all that I can do or say he seems to think

asionally why her aunt did not ask her to go down and entertain

Mrs. Arn

e went out,

tie, some

parlor. I think it is stronger than this. Would

dimly-lighted drawing-room, but as she turned to leave

mpulse merely to be near the object of his thoughts, and also hoped that by some fortunate chance he might still be able to find her alone. That his retur

past, but he interc

l you hear me. You have

ded by instinct, she resolved to be as prosaic and matter-of-fact as possible; s

rs. Arnot needs her smellin

surd," she replied, half ready to

nd holiest feelings that a man-of which a man-feels?" he

t such feelings, and theref

evening? You cannot deceive me; I

od sense you would not talk so to me. You appear to think that

you with my whole soul. I have given you my heart-all the

e passionate words, for they appeared to echo in a depth

so. She would have soon realized, however, that Haldane's attitude was essentially that of an Oriental lover, who, in his strongest attachments, is ever prone to maintain the imperative mood, and to consult his own heart rather than that of the woman he loves. While in Laura's nature there was unusual gentleness and a tend

ze what you are saying. If you would only remember that I am scarcely more

some hope. Your blushes pr

I am excessively

sing so many hopes yo

eant to rais

u so kind to

d me to be. If I had dreamed you would

Mrs. Arnot have had

u are, and how greatly you wrong me. Aunt wanted me to help her keep you home ev

cue which he at once foll

ur sake. Your smiles will keep me from every temptation. But I warn you that if you cast me off-if you tr

ghly incensed, and s

t give me what I wish, right or wrong, I will do something dreadful. If I ever do love a man, it will be one that I can look up to

Arnot entered with a he