ago, with an air of corresponding arrogance and assumption. The other,
who was still more elderly, was a thick-set and rather portly
personage, of that quiet, reserved, and somewhat haughty demeanor,
which usually belongs to men of much self-esteem, and of an
unyielding, opinionated disposition. The ladies were both young, and
in the full bloom of maidenly beauty. But their native characters,
like those of their male companions, seemed to be very strongly
contrasted. The one seated on the left was fair, extremely fair,
indeed; and her golden locks, clustering in rich profusion around her
snowy neck and temples, gave peculiar effect to the picture-like
beauty of her face. But her beauty consisted of pretty features, and
her countenance spoke rather of the affections than of the mind, being
of that tender, pleading cast, which is better calculated to call
forth sympathy than command respect, and which, showed her to be one
of those confiding, dependent persons, whose destinies are in me hands
of those whom they consider their friends, rather than in their own
keeping. The other maiden, with an equally fine form and no less
beautiful features, was still of an entirely different appearance.
She, indeed, was, to the one first described what the rose, with its
hardy stem, is to the lily leaning on the surrounding herbage for its
support; and though less delicately fair in mere complexion, she was
yet more commandingly beautiful; for there was an expression in the
bright, discriminating glances of her deep hazel eyes, and in the
commingling smile that played over the whole of her serene and
benignant countenance, that told of intellects that could act
independently, as well as of a heart that glowed with the kindly
affections.

"Father," said the last described female, addressing the eldest
gentleman, for the purpose, apparently, of giving a new turn to the