From Jest to Earnest

rflowing with luxurious robes, stood near, and a portly coachman with difficulty restrained his spirited horses while the little party arranged themselves for a winter ride.

siduous attentions were caused by a malady of h

anion, "Whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance." She had been surfeited all her life with attention, and though she

sky and winter's bleakness could not prevent the shifting landscape from being a source of pleasur

ive kind, for the north-east wind that deepened the vermilion in the beauty's cheek could

we wer

are filled with water instead of blood. I

d, "is that I have been in a glow for the last

" cried the boy saucily, from

e Forrest in a low tone, and

replied, pettishly. "Dan, behave your

d as "Bel" remarked, "Mr. De Forrest is no judge of the weather under the circumstances. He doubtless regar

ou as much a

yes, I believe

in no act of politen

a littl

, I have fared well, considering that

tulantly; and the young man

ue that sometimes skirted a wooded ravine, and again wound through picturesque groupings of evergreens, they soon rea

they were hospitably welcomed by a widowed lady, whose hair

es of blood, and the guests were shown to their

reariness of winter to city homes. Indeed, they regarded it as almost an honor that so prominent a belle as Charlotte Marsden had consented to spend a few weeks with them at a time when country life is at a large discount with the fashionable. They surmised that the presence of Mr. De Forrest, a distant relative of both Miss Marsden and themselves, would be agreeabl

suggested by touch of hand or glance of eye, and yet he would keep pace with

had wearied of the familiar round of metropolitan gayety; but life on the Hudson during midwinter was an entire novelty. The

om they were in the habit of exchanging visits. She was also an intimate of L

t the pattern was in no instance finished, and was always ravelling out on one side or the other. She had the features of a pretty girl, but ill health and the absence of a pleasing expression spoiled them. She had a fine education, but did

ative creature I ever knew. Why don't you do something or be something out and out? W

she suffered by the comparison so frankly indicated, but was too indolent and irresolute to change for the better

name, a bachelor brother of Mrs. Marchmont who resided with her. He was a quaint-appearing little man, who in a greater degree than his age required seemed to belong to a forme

, reminded one of the past. Indeed, they seemed to cherish, as a matter of pride and choice, their savor

force and genius. Successive generations are not necessarily born to a richer dower of mind and morals. Too often it would seem that the great qualities

rnals. The controlling principle of her life was precedent. What had been customary,

ld not marry the young gentleman with whom her name was at present associated by the gossips, and who had driven over that morning to help her entertain the expected guests. Mr. Harcourt and Miss Marchmont understood each other. He was a distant relative of her mother's, and so under the disguise of kinship could be very familiar. The tie between them was composed of one part friendship and two parts flirtation. He had recently begun the practice of law in a neighboring town, and found the Marchmont r

y hickory fire glistened warmly, it made a pleasing contrast to the cold whiteness of the snow without. A portly colored waiter in dres

as the glowing embodiment of the vivid and intense spirit of the present age. Her naturally energetic and mercurial nature had been cradled among the excitements of the gayest and giddie

iands, she did appear as warm and glowing as the coals of hard-wo

which Lottie was as agreeably conscious as of the other comforts and luxurie

e life before him. It would have been a woful match for both. In a certain sense he would be like the ambitious mouse that espoused the lioness. The polish

to foresee in many cases, not supplemental and helpful differences, but only hopeless discord. Yet it is hard for a romantic youth to realize that the smiling maiden before him, with a cheek of peach-bloom and eyes full of mirth and tende

over-gallant lover makes the worst. And yet, while the world stands, multit

motions, and the malady soon ran, its course, she began to regard the whole subject as a jest, and think, with her fashionable mother, that the heart was the last organ to be consulted in the choice of a husband, as it was almost sure to lead to folly. While her heart slept, it was easy to agree with her

aracters of cousin, playmate, and lover, and why might he not add that of husband? But for the latter relation she was in no haste. Time enough for that in the indefinite future. She loved the liberty and year-long frolic of her maiden life, though in truth she had no idea of settling down on becoming a matron. In the mean

ng of feathery flakes that fluttered down as if undecided where to alight, but of sharp, fine crystals that slanted steadily from the north-east.

cy work and city gossip were in order. The quiet flow and ripple o

n as a gooseberry, and, what's far worse, he's studying for the ministry, and no doubt will want to preach at us all the time. I don't know when I've been more provoked, but mother said i

words. I will shock your pious and proper cousin till he is ready to wri

yourself, even in a joke," said Bel. "I will tell him, if h

ready in fancy I see his face elongate, and his eyes dilate, in holy horror at my wickedness. If the

rrest, "to hear you talk, one woul

till I am

I am always a

r read the fable of th

ed to hope that you regarde

ly to p

l. If I mistake not, there is no en

er joke, and give us all a chance to enjoy the sport. Suppose, Lottie, you assume to be the good and pious one of our party, and in this character form his

were king of them!"

ave Lottie for dinner,

would be served up

iquante. She could make a long

osopher; all your thoughts seem to r

the best practical jokes I ever knew. The very thought of such an incorrigible witch as

I could not act successfully the role of Puritan maiden, when I have always been in reality just the opposite. And yet it would be grand sport to mak

eadfully pious, and life with him such a solemn thing, that unless we are very bungling he will not even imagine such frivolity, as he would call it, until the truth is forced upon him. Then there will be a scene. You will shock him t

would be quite right,"

t lifted hi

it is not," said

sisted Bel, "he w

r's guest, and I feel li

would be an excellent thing for his whole theological seminary if they could have a thorough shaking up by the wicked world,

e a vote of thanks for having hit upon a joke that may enliven the greater part of our visit. This embryo par

on," sneered Bel. "Like Samson, he may also pull everyth

l everything by tellin

petul

. But, bah! He will find you all out in a day. As for Lottie palming herself off as a good

giggling, I will deceive the ingenuous youth in a way that will surprise you as well as him. Good acting must have proper support. This is something new,-o

jest remains a jest, I will be

r that echoed to the at

e idea that I could e

med the embodiment of a troublesome but weak conscience. "You know well

plied the confident yout

lot and been emphatically cautioned