Oh, the heat! You talk of Portugal! And, oh! poor dear Papa! what I have suffered!' Flapping her laces for air, and wiping her eyes for sorrow, the Countess poured a flood of sympathy into her mother's ears and then said: 'But you have made a great mistake, Mama, in allowing Evan to put his foot into that place.

He--beloved of an heiress! Why, if an enemy should hear of it, it would ruin him--positively blast him--for ever.

And that she loves him I have proof positive.

Yes; with all her frankness, the little thing cannot conceal that from me now.

She loves him! And I desire you to guess, Mama, whether rivals will not abound?
And what enemy so much to be dreaded as a rival?
And what revelation so awful as that he has stood in a--in a--boutique ?' Mrs.Mel maintained her usual attitude for listening.