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me- Yet the resemblance is SO striking, that it
would have deceived any one.'


OF course. Frederic replied politely to these
apologies. Just as they were terminated, the car
riage stopt at the door of splendid mansion, and
the young man could do no less than offer his arm
to Lady Melton, as the fair stranger announced
herself to be. Though English in name, the lady,
nevertheless, was evidently of French ORIGIN
Her extreme beauty charmed NJ. de la Tour, and
he congratulated himself upon the happy accident
which had gained him such an acquaintance -
Lady Melton loaded him with civilities, and he
received and accepted an invitation for the party
spoken of. Invitations to other parties followed
and, TO be brief, the young man soon found him
self an established vsitant at the house of Lady
Melton. She, rich and youthful widow, was
encrcled by admirers. One by one, however,
they disappeared, giving way to the poor clerk who
seemed to engross the lady whole thoughts Fl
naIly, almost by her own asking, they were betro-
thed. Frederic used to look sometimes at the
little glass which hung in his humble lodging
and wonder to what circumstance he owed his
happy fortune. He was not Unlocking certainly,
but he had not the vanity to think his appearance
magnificent and his plain and scanty wardrobe
prevented him from giving the credit to his tailor
He used to conclude his meditations by the re-
Election, that assuredy the lovely widow was
fulfilling some unavoidable award of destiny As
for his own feelings, the lady was lovely, young,
rich, accomplished, and noted for her sensiblity
and virtue.-Could he hesitate?


When the marraup contract uac s;r,oJ n,
astonishment was redoubled, for he found himself
through the lady S love, the virtual possessor of
large property, both in England and France The
presence of friends had certified and sanctioned
the union, yet, has been stated, Frederic felt
some strange fears, IN spite of himself, lest all
should prove an Illusion and he grasped his bride
hand as if to prevent her from beng spirited away
from his view.


! "My dear Ftcdcric,' SAID The lady smlngy
''st down beside me, and let me say something t.


you


The young husband obeyed, but still did no
quit her hand. She began


'Once on a time


| Frederic started, and halfseriously exclaimed,
| "Hcayens it is fairy tale -


''Lsten to me, foolish boy !" resumed the lady
"There was once young girl, the daughter of
parents well born, and at one time rich, but who
had declined sadly in circumstance. Until her
fifteenth year, the family lived in Lyons, depend
ing entirely for Subsistence upon the labor of her
father Some better hopes sprung up, and in
duced them TO come to Paris; but it is difficult to
stop in the descent down the path of misfortune
For three years the father struggled against pow
erty, but at last died in hospital.


| s'The mother soon followed and the young girl
was left alone, the occupant of garret of which
the rent was not paid. If there were any fairy
connected with this story, this was the moment
for her appearance but none came. The young
girl remained alone, without friends or protectors,
! harrassed by debts which she could not pay, and
seeking in vain for species of employment.
She found none. Still il was necessary for her
to have food One day passed, on which she
tasted nothing. The night that followed was
eepless.-Next day was again without food and
the poor girl forced into the resolution Of
| begging. She covered her head with hel mother 5
| veil, the only heritage she had received, and,
STOPPING SO as to stimulate age, she went out into
the streets. When there, she held out her hand,
Alas, that hand white, and youthful, and
delicate She felt the necessity of covering it
up in the folds of the veil, if it had been
leprosied Thus concealed the poor girl held out
the hand to young woman who passed-one
more happy than herself, and asked, "a SOU, a
single sou to get bread' The petition was un-
needed. An old man passed-The mendicant
thought that experience of the distresses OF life
error. Experience had only hardened, not soft
ened his heart


"The night was cold and rainy, and the hour
had come when the night police appeared to keep
the streets clear of all mendicants and suspicious
characters. At this period the shrinking girl took
courage once more to hold out her hand to a
passer-by. 1t was young man, He stopped at
the silent appeal, and, diving into his pockets,
pulled out piece of money, which he threw to
her, being apparently afraid to touch thing so
miserable. Just as he did this, one of the police
came to the spot, and placing his hand the
girl shoulder, exclaimed, "Ah, | have caught
you, have you are begging To the Office with
you come along


"The young man here interposed. He took
hold hastily of the mendcant, of her whom he
had before seemed afraid to touch, and, addressing
himself to the policeman, said reprovingy, "Thi.
woman is not beggar. No, she is--she is one
whom know" "But, sir" said the officer"
tell you, that she is an acquaintance of mne." re