An Old, Old Story.

warmth of her friendly feelings for the clergy in general , and Mr . Williams in particular , had thought that Lucy would make a very good clergyman ' s wife , and had , therefore , smiled on Mr . Williams . When , then , that perverse young woman

had " declined the honour , Avith thanks , ' ' Miss Margerison had sympathised sincerely with the " poor young man , " as she termed him , for she was afraid he would suffer very greatly . She little knew him , or our young men , for the most part , to-day .

Marriage with them is usually a matter of necessity or convenience . " Must be done , old fellar , " " can ' t be helped , " " very sorry , " " can't put it off any longer , " "the governor is ready to come clown handsome" and " she is very jolly girlup to

, , anything . " " Hope you know a little of each other , " says a sentimental maiden aunt . " Why , as to that , " says the hero , languidly , " of course we know each other " —" met several times" —" road in the park , " " and we shall do very well . " Oh , Hymen !

Oh , Hymeneal ! etc . Instead of Mr . Williams feeling his disappointment it was quite clear by this time that he Avas running for another handicap I Accordingly the mischievous Lucy , as soon as luncheon was overremembered

, that she had a pressing note to write , and off she ran with all her dimples lighted up , and a gleam in her refreshing eyesleaving her aunt and Mr . Williams " all alone !"

Poor Miss Margerison had been most kind to Mr . Williams , but was beginning herself to get a little fidgetty and fussy , as she observed the animated manner which seemed to have crept over that usuall y somewhat unimpressionable if talkative youth !

Mr . Williams was , in fact , in his glory . He had talked so much , and so fluently , that he thought he must have impressed Miss Margerison , and believed that he had now onl y to strike while the iron was hot , to secure the prize . For I must let my

leaders into a secret which they have probabl y long ago discovered for themselves , finely , that the curate was a little too » nd of the "flesh-pots of Egypt , " and that with him it was only a question of a ' comfortable settlement . " He had heard fiat Miss Margerison was very well to do , a « d he thought that he might just as well ,

as the man once said , get " properly tiled in . " Alas ! with how many to-day is marriage , like as with Mr . Williams , only a " question of settlement !" Mutual affection , mutual tastes and

inclinations , mutual likes and dislikes , the " entente cordiale " of sympathetic minds , all go for nothing , " the little god" is " squared "—to use a common expression —by the " wiles of Pluto , " as the Irishman saidand " amor numini" not love at

, , first or second sight , " rules the roast !" How many ill-assorted couples have to lament for ever , that a " comfortable settlement " united them , favente the parson , in the " holy estate of matrimony , " and not the happier influence of genuine affection

and reciprocal attachment . But I must not moralize on this point or I shall never finish . Mr . AVilliams turned the conversation ere long to his lonely condition , his solitary life , his many troubles and trials , his weariness of bachelorhood , his admiration of the marriage state . At last Miss Margerison got so seemingly alarmed , that

getting up hastily and ringing the bell , she desired Mr , AValters to send Miss Longhurst to her immediately . Poor Mr . Williams all this time sat looking the picture of abject confusion and despair , nor did he notice even the indignant looks of Mr . Walters .

He was just saying , " Oh , Miss Margerison , could the devoted " —when the door opened , and in hurried Lucy , more radiant than ever , closely followed by Colonel Mackintosh , Mr . Mainwaring , Mr . Carruthersand Miss Emily Monckton !

, Happy escape for Miss Margerison ! Mr . Williams , who saw that he had missed his chance , made an excuse of parish duty , and retired , to the delight of all assembled . He had no sooner gone in "hot haste " than Miss Margerison exclaimed : — "Oh ,

how very lucky it is you have all come ; for I believe that Mr , Williams would have proposed to me in another minute . " Will my readers be surprised to hear that there was a general shout . " Oh" said Lucymaliciously , " I gave

, , him no chance this morning , but I thought , auntie dear , you might like to give him a chance this afternoon ; " and here the joyous party broke out again .