M. or N. Similia similibus curantur.""

use, the two ladies hit it off badly enough. Perhaps because in a certain imperiousness and hardness of character they were somewhat alike, their differences, though

her sadly, she could not yet quite divest herself of an idea that her inheritance had not wholly passed away. Under any circumstances she resolved before long to go at the head

her own overstrained notions of honour, as she now considered them, in committing that promise to writing. She felt as people feel in a dream,

sideration of her grievances, and of the false position in which she was placed. Mrs. Stanmore, too, had just sent back a misfitting costume t

, and a ration of sherry having been distributed, the room was cleared, and a fair field rem

he attack coming, and prepared to remain on the defensive. Aunt Agatha began quiet

sappointed me again, and I've got literally nothing to go in. Besides, there will be such a cru

ess Monaco's reception, but would not be at the said ball. It is possible Mrs. Stanmore may ha

k's not going because he's not asked, and I'm engaged to dance the first dance with him at the other place.

that her step-son had received no invitation from the smart foreign countess; while that Maud should thus appropri

before last with Lord Bearwarden, and twice with Dick, besides going down with him to supper. I don't

at?" retorted incorrigible

of battle was sadly broken through, and her pieces huddled togeth

ly. "You force me into saying things I would much rather keep to

advance her strongest piec

. Stanmore, or that I don't mind it, because I've too much pride to resent it as it deserves. I am indebted to you, certainly, for a great deal--the roof that shelters me, and the food I eat. I owe you as much as your carriage-horses, and a little less tha

laces, the lockets round her neck, the very hair of her head, vibrated with excitement. Maud, cool, pale, impassable, wa

lips. "You are rude and impertinent," said she; "and if you really think so wickedly, the sooner you leave this house the better, though

hat they should go to Countess Monaco's for the harmless purpose, as they expressed it, of "just walking through the rooms," leaving thereafter as soon as practicable for the ball; and Mrs. Stanmore

not what the world calls a "marrying man"; but the world, in arranging its romances, usually leaves out that very chapter--the chapter of accidents--on which the whole plot revolves. And why should there not be a Lady Bearwar

nce and softness of tone, a diffidence and even awkwardness of manner, increasing painfully when they were alone, betrayed that he was her slave. And she liked Dick, too, very much, as a woman could hardly help liking that frank and kindly spirit. She even thought she co

a prize as the Bearwarden coronet, when she need only put out her hand and take Dick Stanmore, with his brown locks, his broad shoulders, his genial, generous heart, for better or worse! It was unbearable. And then to think that she could ever have fancied she liked the man; that, even now, she had to give him clandestine meetings, to see him at unseasonable hours, as if she loved him dearly, and was prepared to make every sacrifice for his sake! Her pride revolted, her whole spirit rose in arms at the reflection. She knew he cared for her to

sitation, Miss Bruce resolved at last to pawn her diamonds. So dearly do women love their trinkets, that I believe, though he never knew it, Tom Ryfe was more than once within an ace of gaining the prize he longed for, simply from Maud's disinclination to part with

from top to toe, and is driving his phaeton merrily along Piccadilly, on his way to Belgrave Square. How his heart leaps as he turns the well-known corner! how it beats as he skips into his step-mother's house!--how it stops when he reaches the door of

so afraid you'd be gone out before I could get here. It seems so long since I've s

eeps in his own as long as he dares. "Three days at Newmarket are long enough to make 'a man or a mouse,'

ck triumphantly. "And even that was a 'fluke,' becau

ark eyes. "I suppose you consider that tantamount to winning. Wa

hem off at all; for it must have put him out sadly to see all the boys laughing at him. I've

rd Bearwarden very go

ut," answered Dick. "But

t care whether he is or not! And now, Mr. Stanmore, though you've not been to see your mamma yet, you've behaved

re, with but the one drawback to supreme happiness, of a w

to do exactly what you're told--to drive very slow and very carefully, and to set me down the instant I'm tired of you, becau

ondering, honest fellow, what she could see in him to like, and thinking what a lucky dog he was, o

o's there?" and the silvery

more drive me to Rose and

ounded very like

me so much good, and you can call for me afterwards, whenever you like, to do our shopping. I sha

street struck up "The Marseillaise," and ere it had played eight bars, Maud was on the stairs a

ngly upwards to his own, of the winning ways, the playfully imperious gestures, the sweet caressing voice--of the hope thrilling

med a direct road to Paradise; the man who is always watering the rhododendrons shone like a glorified being, and the soft west wind fanned his temples like an air from heaven. How pleasant she was, how quaint, how satirical, how amusing! Not the least frightened w

may, just to keep my dress off the wheel, but you mustn't come in. I said I'd a treat for you; now tell me

Far too bewildered to solve the knotty point of cipher versus monogram, he muttered some incoherent syllables, and only bega

it is possible she may have appealed to the proprietor's taste in her selection, since she was closeted with that gentleman in earnest conference for three-quarters of an ho

card into his hand with her pleasantest smile, "so I could not have yo

art as the construction of that garment would permit; but his day's happiness was over now, for M

They were indeed choice little articles of workmanship, bearing on their surface two quaint and fanciful designs,

xation. Even Miss Bruce found some difficulty in explaining to a lover that she valued truth, honour, and fidelity at so man