A NIGHT'S PEKIL. 119 



" There's no treachery in telling that, for I knew it 

 at once." 



" But there is treachery in telling that she laid her 

 commands on me to show the document to you : more 

 especially, as I believe she would blush extravagantly 

 if she thought you knew it." 



Now let me say, that though I had for Yirginie 

 that kind of sentiment that made me feel ill at ease 

 under the inquisitorial eye of my friend, I had never 

 felt sure that she cared for me accordingly. Some 

 girls are so excessively tender, that they can spare 

 more love to a canary-bird than others can afford to 

 a declared suitor. Yirginie was of this affectionate 

 sort ; so, though she had been tender to me, I lacked 

 assurance that this tenderness contained in. it any 

 thing of distinction. 



I will confess, then, that it touched me rather, to 

 hear that she had actually vouchsafed me a particular 

 remembrance. 



" Jack," said my friend, " you must come. I'll be 

 candid, and tell you at once that I've read you like 

 a book. You're in love with one of those girls, and 

 don't exactly know which it is. Well and good 

 that has been many a good fellow's lot before you. 

 However, here's a chance for you to try to learn your 

 own mind." 



" Alas ! and much good that would do me ! " 



" Good of course it will. You will have them 

 all together, and there's nothing like comparison for 



