room, whose work-table remained the same as when the General had left her; but its mistress was no longer visible. From a large, low window the sun partially spread its gilded rays over a rich Turkey carpet, and other articles of expensive elegance decorated the apartment. The sweet notes of a piping bulfinch seemed to increase those tender feelings which were stealing insensibly over the heart of Rosilia, as, advancing from an inner apartment connected by folding-doors, her aunt graciously came forward to meet her.
A year having elapsed since Mrs. Arden had caught but an imperfect view of her, had added infinite embellishments to her person, and Mrs. Arden contemplated her niece with a silent approbation and delight, far exceeding that she had ever bestowed upon another,—those forms of perfect regularity, but of lifeless expression, cold within and without, faithful to the Grecian statue they resembled. Rosilia just emerging from childhood into the woman, the simplicity of the former and the intelligence of the latter seemed by turns to be struggling with each other to gain the ascendency,—modest, unobtrusive, graceful in all she said or did.
Mrs. Arden expressed herself to her brother highly pleased and proud of the new acquisition she had formed by his introduction to her of his
