cheer of Agnes, that, at the expiration of the fortnight, they were pressed to protract the term for a month. Both had found so much pleasure in the companionship of Agnes, and in witnessing the daily development of accomplishments and mental stores previously unsuspected, that they gladly assented to the proposal. Between Allan and Agnes there was an especial sympathy that drew them instinctively towards each other. Both had bruised spirits which found a congenial consolation in the same subjects and pursuits; both being passionately fond of music and of literature, they sang or read together, selecting such graver strains as were adapted to their present temperament. At the end of the first month thus pleasantly occupied, the visit of the Latimers was renewed for another, and this successively for several more, until Brown, finding his own comfort as well as that of Agnes mainly dependent upon their stay, insisted upon their giving up the cottage, and becoming his permanent inmates. Walter and his wife made frequent visits also to the Manor House, both of them winning such huge favour in the sight of its master, that he never suffered them to depart without exacting a promise of a speedy return. As it is the just punishment of maleficence to excite a painful hatred of those whom we have injured, so is it the merited reward of good actions to awaken in us a love of those whom we have benefited. Deeply did Allan feel this gratification as he marked the cheering effect of his kindly offices and attentions upon Agnes. Each had begun by commiserating the other, and the affinity between pity and love is so well known, that we need hardly state the result. From motives of delicacy, however, Allan did not make any formal declaration of his wishes. until Agnes had thrown aside her widow's weeds, when he tendered her his hand and heart, and having obtained her blushing consent, proceeded to solicit that of Brown. What, my dear boy!" was the reply: "and so you are tired of single-blessedness, are you? Well, Sir, you have chosen the 66 most charming woman in all England, and I give you my consent with all my heart and soul. I must say, however, that I never thought of marry--Hallo, though! don't tell lies, you old fool!—you did think of marrying, and a pretty business you made of it!" Walter Latimer's employer having died, and the business being given up, he and his wife were invited to come over to the ManorHouse, and to consider themselves its permanent inmates, and a portion of the family. On the morning of Allan's marriage for he too was married at last-Brown placed in the hands of Agnes a deed of gift of five hundred a year, and at the same time deposited a similar instrument in the work-box of Ellen Latimer, gallantly observing that it was a very inadequate payment for the pleasure he anticipated from their society. These hopes were so abundantly justified, that he makes no secret of his intention to bequeath the remainder of his fortune between the twin brothers. Unbroken was the concord-great and unalloyed the happiness of the whole party thus domesticated at the Manor-House. Adam Brown, whose inmates took especial care to keep him incessantly occupied, busied himself about his farm, toddled round his grounds and gardens, was driven to visit his neighbours, and to participate in all the amusements of the vicinity; he played billiards, whist, and cribbage; he heard the newspapers, especially the Public Ledger, regularly read to him, and often imagined himself to be enjoying the society of Allan and Walter, while they sat silently beside him on the balustraded platform of the roof, until he had smoked himself into a state of complacent and oblivious drowsiness. is the force of habit, that whenever he heard of any approaching nuptials, he would begin to blurt out his usual cackling triumph at his being a bachelor, on which occasions he would suddenly check himself, turn very red in the face, and mutter, as he walked away with a confused look,-"Don't tell lies, VOL. III. P Such |
