"He isn't able to elope with any one," said Miss Preciosa; "and we should be gentle with the erring. Who shall we find to nurse him?"

"Old Todds is competent, Miss," said Deborah.

"Yes. Do send for that old person," said the lady. And old Todds came. He of course dwelt in the house. The doctor came every day. The apothecary's boy invaded the hall with medicines; and finally, when the young man came to his senses, he desired earnestly to see his friend, Dr. Green.

"He must

"Our clergyman his friend," said Preciosa. have been misled then; surely his general conduct must be proper. Perhaps this is the first time he ever looked over a wall to make love to a lady. By all means send for Dr. Green."

Thus the nunnery was a nunnery no more. Two men under the roof. Three visiting it daily! What was the world coming to? Miss Preciosa dared not think. Bella was locked in her own room in the most decorous manner, while her aunt was in the house, but when she was absent Deborah and Charity sympathized and abetted, and she read and talked deliciously to dear George, lying on his back with his handsome face so pale and his spirits so low, poor fellow !

Troubles always come together. That evening Miss

Preciosa received information that legal affairs connected with her property, which was considerable, demanded her presence in New-York, and left the establishment, which never before so much needed its Lady Superior. She returned after three days toward evening, no one expecting her. “I shall give them a pleasant surprise," she thought, and slipped in the kitchen-way. There a candle burned, and on one chair sat two people-Charity Pratt and the druggist's boy. He had his arm around her waist.

Miss Preciosa grasped the door-frame and shook from head to foot. "Ill go to Deborah," she said. “She can speak to that misguided girl better than I." She faltered forward. Deborah was in the back area scouring tea-knives. Beside her stood old Todds, the nurse. They were talking. "Since my old woman died," said Todds, I hain't seen nobody scour like you-and the pies you does make."

"They ain't better than other folks," said Deborah, grimly coquettish.

"They air," said Todds; and, to Miss Preciosa's horror, he followed up the compliment by asking for a kiss.

Miss Preciosa struggled with hysterics and fled parlorward. Alas! a murmur of sweet voices. She peeped in. Through the window swept the fragrance of honey-suckle. Moonlight mingled with that of the shaded lamp. Bella

leaned over an easy-chair in which reclined George Love

boy. This time Preciosa was petrified.

"Dearest Bella," said George.

"My own," said Bella.

"How happy we are?"

"Oh, so happy!"

"And when shall we be together again? You know I

must go.

Your aunt won't have me here, Bella. I must

tell her. Why are you afraid of her?"

"She's so prim and good, dear soul," said Bella.
"Ah! you don't love me as I do you."

"George?"

"You don't. Would I let an aunt stand between us?"

"Oh, George, you know I've told you that nothing. could change me. Why, if you had staid lame, and had had to walk on crutches all your life, it would have made no difference, though I fell in love with you for your walk. I don't deny it."

"And I," said George, would have almost been content had fate willed that I should be a cripple to have been so cherished, to have reposed on so faithful a bosom."

"Oh, oh, oh!" from the doorway checked the speech Those last words had well-nigh killed Miss Preciosa Lockwood. Hysterics supervened, and in their midst a gentleman was announced. The Rev. Peter Green.

"Show him in," said Preciosa. "I need counsel. Perhaps he may give it." And for the first time in her life she hailed the entrance of "a man."

Mr. Loveboy left the room as stealthily and speedily as possible. Miss Bella followed him. Charity was in the pantry hiding her head, and Deborah returned to the cellar.

Alone the Lady Superior received the Rev. Peter Green. She faltered and blushed.

"You are, I presume, already aware of the fact that I am much disturbed in mind," she said.

"Yes, Madam. That is perceptible."

"You are my spiritual adviser, sir. To you, though a man, I turn for advice," and she shed a tear or two. "My own household has turned against me." And she told him

all.

The Rev. Peter made big eyes at her, and broke the truth gently.

"My dear madam, you do not know that old Jonathan Todds and your faithful Deborah intend to unite their fortunes in the bands of holy wedlock next Sabbath?"

"Know it? Oh the old, old sinners! Are they in their dotage?"

"Or that Charity Pratt, who seems a likely sort of girl, has promised to give her hand to Zeddock Saltz on Thursday?"

"Oh, Doctor Green! What do I hear?"

"The truth, Madam. Can you hear more?"

"Then it is time that you should be informed that Miss Bella Bloom and Mr. George Loveboy have been engaged a year. They have corresponded regular. It was to see her he climbed the garden wall and met with his accident. give way, Madam-don't."

Don't

"You're very kind," said Miss Preciosa; "but it is

awful! What would you advise?"

"I should say, allow Todds and Deborah to marry next Sunday."

"Yes, sir."

"And Charity and Zeddock on the day they have fixed. And I should say, sanction the betrothal of your niece and Mr. Loveboy, and allow me to unite them at some appointed day before the altar."

"My own niece!" said Miss Preciosa. "Oh, my own niece!"

"Do you so seriously object to weddings?" asked the pastor.

"N-no," said Preciosa. "It's this awful courting I

dislike."

"I agree with you," said the pastor. I have resolved, when I marry, to come to the point at once. Miss Preciosa,