This page has been validated.

( 24 )

ceiving, by the down-cast eyes of the stranger, that she understood what passed, "that we shall not make her repent her choice of an asylum."

"Ah! there is no fear!" cried she, with quickness.

"Your prepossession, then, is, happily, in our favour?"

"Not my prepossession, but my gratitude!"

"This is true practical philosophy, to, let the sum total of good out-balance the detail, which little minds would dwell upon, of evil."

"Of evil! I think myself at this moment the most fortunate of human beings!"

This was uttered with a sort of transport that she seemed unable to control, and accompanied with a bright smile, that displayed a row of beautifully white and polished teeth.

Riley now, again heartily laughing, exclaimed, "This demoiselle amuses me mightily! she does, faith! with hardly a