The old lady again repeated her thanks in the warmest manner, and I assisted her and her charming niece into the equipage.

The young lady waved her hand and smiled, the powdered footman closed the door, and they drove off, leaving me spell-bound, rooted to the door-sill of the shop.
"Who are those ladies ?" asked the apothecary, looking complacently down upon the sovereign the elder lady had slipped into his hand.
"I was just going to ask that question of you," said I.
"How! not know them--and let them go away without inquiring their names! Arn't you a simple young fellow?
If it had been me now, I should have done my best to improve such a golden opportunity.

Gratitude you know begets love, and I'll be sworn that the pretty young woman has a good fortune, by the anxiety the old one felt in her behalf." I was in the maddest heroics of love.

"What do I care about her property," said I disdainfully.

"Such a beautiful, elegant creature is a fortune in herself." "Yes--to those who have enough of their own.