twelvemonth in writing that note, at twelve o'clock at night, on purpose to assure me that there was no scarlet fever at Cobham, I have been convinced there could not be a more feeling heart nor a better man in existence. - If any body can deserve him, it must be Miss Taylor.'

`Where is the young man?' said John Knightley. `Has he been here on this occasion - or has he not?'

`He has not been here yet,' replied Emma. `There was a strong expectation of his coming soon after the marriage, but it ended in nothing; and I have not heard him mentioned lately.'

`But you should tell them of the letter, my dear,' said her father. `He wrote a letter to poor Mrs. Weston, to congratulate her, and a very proper, handsome letter it was. She shewed it to me. I thought it very well done of him indeed. Whether it was his own idea you know, one cannot tell. He is but young, and his uncle, perhaps - '

`My dear papa, he is three-and-twenty. You forget how time passes.'

`Three-and-twenty! - is he indeed? - Well, I could not have thought it - and he was but two years old when he lost his poor mother! Well, time does fly indeed! - and my memory is very bad. However, it was an exceeding good, pretty letter, and gave Mr. and Mrs. Weston a great deal of pleasure. I remember it was written from Weymouth, and dated Sept. 28th - and began, ``My dear Madam,'' but I forget how it went on; and it was signed ``F. C. Weston Churchill.'' - I remember that perfectly.'

`How very pleasing and proper of him!' cried the good-hearted Mrs. John Knightley. `I have no doubt of his being a most amiable young man. But how sad it is that he should not live at home with his father! There is something so shocking in a child's being taken away from his parents and natural home! I never could comprehend how Mr. Weston could part with him. To give up one's child! I really never could think well of any body who proposed such a thing to any body else.'

`Nobody ever did think well of the Churchills, I fancy,' observed Mr. John Knightley coolly. `But you need not imagine Mr. Weston to have felt what you would feel in giving up Henry or John. Mr. Weston is rather an easy, cheerful-tempered man, than a man of strong feelings; he takes things as he finds them, and makes enjoyment of them somehow or other, depending, I suspect, much more upon what is called society for his comforts, that is, upon the power of eating and drinking, and playing whist with his neighbours five times a week, than upon family affection, or any thing that home affords.'

Emma could not like what bordered on a reflection on Mr. Weston, and had half a mind to take it up; but she struggled, and let it pass. She would keep the peace if possible; and there was something honourable and valuable in the strong domestic habits, the all-sufficiency of home to himself, whence resulted her brother's disposition to look down on the common rate of social intercourse, and those to whom it was important. - It had a high claim to forbearance.