Fair as an houri, Nora, from a child, had been the object of admiration; but, whether from pride or caprice, she never noticed the sensations her charms excited. Many a keen eye flashed when she appeared, or sank beneath her glance; gay voices trembled, and flippant tongues became mute in her hearing; but, like a lovely statue, as cold, as impassive, she moved on unheeding.

The eldest son of the house, being an Alumnus of Columbian College, introduced several of the gentlemen connected with that institution into the family; and while they were yet boys, Harry Dalton and Sam, Farquhar became frequent and welcome visitors to the domestic circle.

That both their young hearts should fall captive to the fascinating Nora was not to be wondered at; and she, who received homage as a matter of course, scarcely observed the addition to the number of her subjects.

But the fair enchantress was not so cold as she seemed, nor so indifferent as she pretended. Kitty was five years her junior, yet it was Kitty's sharp eye that discovered what no other would dare to guess. That frigid exterior concealed a warm heart and tender emotions; behind that easy unconcern was a firm choice, and fond and unchangeable attachment. Nora loved-loved as women of strong natures love, but once; and he who had won her was all-unconscious.

It did not surprise us to learn that Nora found a congenial spirit in Sam. Farquhar; but, with the modesty which is often allied to lofty intellect, the youth himself never dreamed of such a possibility.

So matters continued for a while. So they might have continued until years should have given the young man courage to lift his eyes to the star of his devotion, had not Nora's evil genius stirred up her pride. She discovered that Kitty had penetrated her secret; and if Kitty, why could not others? The fear of this possibility was insupportable; and she determined to prevent it.

Nora was not naturally coquettish, she was above it; but the consciousness of having given her heart before it was asked tormented her into the course she adopted. Harry Dalton possessed lively spirits, and wit that was ever in play. He was the delight of the children, who always enjoyed a hearty romp when he came; and, even with his seniors, where his conduct was most decorous, the vivacity of his manners shed a happy influence around him. He had long looked upon Nora with admiring eyes; and it took all her natural dignity to maintain toward him her accustomed reserve. Now, however, he appeared in the light of a deliverer.

One of his gay temperament was not likely

to possess very deep sensibilities, she thought; she might, therefore, suffer the distance between him and her to diminish—she might even extend toward him a more kindly bearing, without apprehending any serious consequences to his heart; and, as he and his friend Farquhar usually came together, she might thus conceal her true preference behind a simulated one.

The project was adopted. The hitherto cold and unapproachable maiden gently inclined toward the sparkling youth, who sparkled the more as he was flattered by her notice. The slightest condescension from "Leonora the beautiful" was favor prondly distinguishing, which Harry too well appreciated; and the sanguine youth permitted his affections to grow and strengthen on the encouragement it afforded. He loved and he was happy, loved with all the warmth of a first real attachment, and was happy that his humble suit was smiled on. Nora soon found that she had not calculated rightly respecting the fervor of his feelings.

But what was the effect on Sam. Farquhar? Alas! just the opposite of what the fond maiden had desired. She knew he loved her. Imagined the deep, strong passion which filled his heart, and supposed that the present course would awaken his apprehensions, and bring him to her feet with an avowal of his love. True, he did love herlove her with an intensity and devotion of which spirits like his alone are capable; but he loved her not only for the beauties he discovered in her, but for ideal perfections with which his own fastidious taste had invested her. He believed her to be all truth and purity-would as soon have suspected her of theft as of scheming, and when he saw her manifest a leaning toward the all-attractive Harry, he attributed it to the spontaneous preference of a guileless maiden heart.

And he approved her supposed choice. Young Dalton was his dearest friend. He knew him to be as good as he seemed; and, since he could not himself possess the first place in her regard, it was some relief to feel that his successful rival was worthy the high honor to which he had aspired. And so Sam. Farquhar candidly told his friend, and, with a manly shake of the hand, and a hearty "God-speed," retired from the contest.

How much this cost the noble heart, no one ever knew. He bent himself more industriously than ever to his studies; and when he was observed becoming paler and thinner, and was advised to relax, few suspected what anguish drove him to hard labor and close application for relief.

When Nora discovered the terrible mistake she had made, she was

appalled. The discontinuance of his visits, whose presence and conversation were, to her, as light and warmth, was punishment enough without having to learn that he would come no more—that he had yielded his hopes to another. Of course the proud girl did not ask for him, but Kitty did. Suspecting the truth, she demanded of Harry what had become of his friend, and was told in few words the simple fact, which she repeated to Nora, adding the remonstrance:— "If you loved him, sister, you should not have driven him off by favoring another."

"If he had loved me, Kitty, he would not have been so easily driven off."

The only relief Nora could gain for her self-reproach was in this fallacy. She tried to deceive herself, but could not, though she had found it easy enough to deceive others. It took all her pride to sustain her under this heavy disappointment-a disappointment which she was to feel during life.

Shortly after this came the College Commencement, at which we were present; and the contest for the prize medals, where our attention was attracted by Kitty's kind sympathy for the pale orator, and the well-acted indifference of her elegant sister.

From this time a change came over Nora. Home was no longer large enough for her ambition. She plunged, with apparent zest, into the fashionable gayeties of the season, and became in the world of pleasure what she had been in the social circle, la reine de tous cœurs. Harry, whose studies prohibited his accompanying her in her bright career, only met her occasionally, t pride in her triumphs, and lived almost wholly on faith.

Washington was more than ordinarily gay just then. The South was plotting that treason which has since shaken the country to its center; and the conspirators, with whom the capital was then crowded, were exerting all their blandishments to win for themselves, in behalf of their forthcoming cause, a place in popular favor.

The Southern element was then in the ascendancy. It represented the fashion, the refinement, and the luxury of the nation; while it won the bright wreaths of favor, and was shaded with the soft hues of romance. No wonder the young and unwary were caught; and many a guileless heart was pledged to the undeveloped cause.

Gayly and quickly passed the years. Our young friends, Dalton and Farquhar, graduated with honor, and left the genial shelter of Alma

Mater.

The former entered a large banking house, the latter took a seat in a lawyer's office.

To Nora this last arrangement brought hope, as she must now sometimes meet Mr. Farquhar in society. All her intercourse with the gay and gifted had failed to shake her heart's allegiance to its first choice. She could neither banish him from her thoughts nor take another in, and she came to the desperate resolution that, with a favoring chance, she would sacrifice her pride, and give him an insight to her real sentiments. She knew her attractions were as powerful as ever. Nay, more so, for every year added new grace to her beauty; and the loveliness of the girl was expanding into the more superb splendor of the woman. She would draw him more securely into her toils now, by managing matters better than she had done in her crude youth; and as to the understanding with Dalton, she persisted in treating it as a light affair, which would as easily pass from his mind as from that of the world.

As for Farquhar, he had so long ceased to regard Nora as any thing to him, that it was with the purest admiration of friendship he viewed her radiant beauty, when, for the first time, they met in a fashionable assembly. The lady had expected this meeting, and prepared for it with special care; the negligent, yet perfect taste of her most becoming attire was only equaled by the nonchalant witchery of her manner. "Mr. Farquhar, have you, indeed, emerged-turned from the books of which your friends were all jealous, and suffered yourself to burst upon their sight?"

The pen of the writer is inadequate to place those few words on. paper as they were spoken-the sweet, varying tones with which they were uttered, and the look of surprise and innocent gladness which accompanied them. Or the inimitable grace with which she laid her hand upon his arm and said:

"Let me show you round-I long to be the envy of my contemporaries for once!"

We shall not say that the heart of the young man did not throb, though his strong will subdued it; but we know young Dalton's eyes glistened with pride and delight-pride in the peerless woman whom he looked on as his own, and delight that she and his chosen friend were to be on easy and pleasant terms after all.

The star of hope now shone brightly on the fair maiden's path; and her beauty, under its influence, became more resplendent than ever. She met Farquhar frequently, and each time contrived to lessen the distance between them. Dalton was generally present; but his posi

tion toward her was of such an established character, that ceremony was unnecessary in his case; so he was neglected or noticed just as it happened, and he was always supremely content. She soon saw it would be better to give Farquhar a position too, in order to set him entirely at his ease; so she let him hear her informing some lady confidants that he was Mr. Dalton's dearest college friend, and known to herself since early boyhood. The effect was as she desired. He was pleased to have a defined place in her train; and he admired her all the more that Harry's friendship was his first recommendation.

So far so well. Every thing prospered with the fair diplomat. He whom she worshiped was constantly in her company, and on a free and kind footing-so kind, it was almost tender. And she was happy. She, who had been so long the petted favorite of fashion-la reine de tous cœurs ——was now, for the first time in her life, really happy. And a soft, delicious sensation was stealing over the strong spirit of the young man. The world was pleasant to him. Every thing was wrapped in sunshine; and music and perfume filled the air he breathed. What a wonderful enchantress this lovely creature must be, he thought, when even her friendship crowned his life with bliss!

So Nora's present course had succeeded. She had played a winning game, and was only watching an opportunity to make the last triumphant throw. Against this her pride had faintly struggled; but love was the stronger, and gained the mastery.

The season drew near its close. The soft spring weather was approaching, a mamma gave one of her modest entertainments. Devoted to domestic pursuits, the good lady had no taste for grand, flashy gatherings; but loved to draw around her a whole-souled circle. of family friends. Her parties were, therefore, small but elegant; and, though you might fail of meeting some notables, you were sure to see no one of equivocal respectability at her house.

Nora's dress that evening was studiedly simple; and her manner was quiet and slightly tinged with the pensive. To those who were pleased to see her sparkling with wit and gayety she was less attractive than usual; but to those who loved her, she was more interesting than ever; and to a few she was particularly charming, as reminding them of her dear and lovely girlhood.

Dalton, whose manner toward her was usually of the proud and adoring style, became tender, while Farquhar regarded her with a sort of uneasy apprehensiveness.

She was quite well, she said, playfully, in reply to a kind inquiry, "only giving way for her young sister to show off." But the smile