Formerly,' said she timidly, 'I could have ventured to ask you what it was, and what I could do to comfort you: I dare not do it now.' 'You're very kind, Miss Eliza.

When I think you can do anything to comfort me, I'll make bold to tell you.' 'Pray do!--I suppose I mayn't guess what it is that troubles you ?' 'There's no necessity, for I'll tell you plainly.

The thing that troubles me the most at present is a young lady sitting at my elbow, and preventing me from finishing my letter, and, thereafter, repairing to my daily business.' Before she could reply to this ungallant speech, Rose entered the room; and Miss Eliza rising to greet her, they both seated themselves near the fire, where that idle lad Fergus was standing, leaning his shoulder against the corner of the chimney-piece, with his legs crossed and his hands in his breeches-pockets.
'Now, Rose, I'll tell you a piece of news--I hope you have not heard it before: for good, bad, or indifferent, one always likes to be the first to tell.

It's about that sad Mrs.Graham--' 'Hush-sh-sh!' whispered Fergus, in a tone of solemn import.

'"We never mention her; her name is never heard."' And glancing up, I caught him with his eye askance on me, and his finger pointed to his forehead; then, winking at the young lady with a doleful shake of the head, be whispered--'A monomania--but don't mention it--all right but that.' 'I should be sorry to injure any one's feelings,' returned she, speaking below her breath.