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〃Innate evidence。 I see itI feel itYes； that is the
best testimonyI feel her good qualities。 Yes； my
friendship for Anna forms the spring of my
existence； while any accident or evil to you would
afflict me the same as if done to myselfthis is
pure nature； you know。〃
〃I know it is pleasing to learn it； come from what it
will；〃 said the aunt； smiling； and rising to withdraw。
CHAPTER III。
SEVERAL days passed after this conversation； in the
ordinary quiet of a well regulated family。
Notwithstanding the house of Miss Emmerson stood
in the midst of the numberless villas that adorn
Manhattan Island； the habits of its mistress were
retiring and domestic。 Julia was not of an age to
mingle much in society； and Anna had furnished her
with a theme for her meditations； that rather
rendered her averse from the confusion of company。
Her mind was constantly employed in canvassing
the qualities of the unseen Antonio。 Her friend had
furnished her with a catalogue of his perfections in
gross； which her active thoughts were busily
arranging into form and substance。 But little
practised in the world or its disappoinments ｛sic｝；
the visionary girl had already figured to herself a
person to suit these qualities； and the animal was
no less pleasing； than the moral being of her fancy。
What principally delighted Julia in these
contemplations on the acquaintance of Anna； was
the strong inclination he had expressed to know
herself。 This flattered her tendency to believe in
the strength of mutual sympathy； and the efficacy
of innate evidence of merit。 In the midst of this
pleasing employment of her fancy； she received a
second letter from her friend； in answer to the one
we have already given to our readers； it was
couched in the following words：
〃My own dear Julia； my Friend；
〃I received your letter with the pleasure I shall
always hear from you； and am truly obliged to you
for your kind offer to make interest with year aunt
to have me spend the next winter in town。 To be
with you； is the greatest pleasure I have on earth；
besides； as I know I can write to you as freely as I
think； one can readily tell what a tiresome place
this must be to pass a winter in。 There are；
absolutely； but three young men in the whole
county who can be thought in any manner as proper
matches for us； and one has no chance here of
forming such an association as to give a girl an
opportunity of meeting with her congenial spirit； so
that I hope and trust your desire to see me will
continue as strong as mine will ever be to see my
Julia。 You say that I have forgotten to give you the
description of our journey and of the lakes that I
promised to send you。 No； my Julia； I have not
forgotten the promise； nor you； but the thought of
enjoying such happiness without your dear
company； has been too painful to dwell upon。 Of
this you may judge for yourself。 Our first journey
was made in the steam…boat to Albany； she is a
moving world。 The vessel ploughs through the
billowy waters in onward progress； and the soul is
left in silent harmony to enjoy the change。 The
passage of the Highlands is most delightful。 Figure
to yourself； my Julia； the rushing waters； lessening
from their expanded width to the degeneracy of the
stagnant poolrocks rise on rocks in overhanging
mountains； until the weary eye； refusing its natural
office； yields to the fancy what its feeble powers
can never conquer。 Clouds impend over their
summits； and the thoughts pierce the vast abyss。
Ah！ Julia； these are moments of awful romance；
how the soul longs for the consolations of
friendship。 Albany is one of the most picturesque
places in the world； situated most delightfully on
the banks of the Hudson； which here meanders in
sylvan beauty through meadows of ever…green and
desert islands。 Words are wanting to paint the
melancholy beauties of the ride to Schenectady；
through gloomy forests； where the silvery pine
waves in solemn grandeur to the sighings of Eolus；
while Boreas threatens in vain their firm…rooted
trunks。 But the lakes！ Ah！ Juliathe lakes！ The
most beautiful is the Seneca； named after a Grecian
king。 The limpid water； ne'er ruffled by the rude
breathings of the wind； shines with golden tints to
the homage of the rising sun； while the light bark
gallantly lashes the surge； rocking before the
propelling gale； and forcibly brings to the appalled
mind the fleeting hours of time。 But I must pause
my pen refuses to do justice to the subject； and
the remainder will furnish us hours of conversation
during the tedious moments of the delightful visit
to Park…Place。 You speak of Antoniodear girl； with
me the secret is hallowed。 He is yet here； his whole
thoughts are of Juliafrom my description only； he
has drawn your picture； which is the most striking
in the world； and nothing can tear the dear emblem
from his keeping。 He called here yesterday in his
phaeton； and insisted on my riding a few short
miles in his company： I assented； for I knew it was
to talk of my friend。 He already feels your worth；
and handed me the following verses； which he
begged me to offer as the sincere homage of his
heart。 He intends accompanying my father and me
to town next winterprovided I go。
〃Oh！ charming image of an artless fair；
〃Whose eyes； with lightning； fire the very soul；
〃Whose face portrays the mind； and ebon hair
〃Gives grace and harmony unto the whole。
〃In vain I gaze entranc'd； in vain deplore
〃The leagues that roll between the maid and me；
〃Lonely I wander on the desert shore；
〃And Julia's lovely form can never see。
〃But fly； ye fleeting hours； I beg ye fly；
〃And bring the time when Anna seeks her friend；
〃HasteOh haste； or Edward sure must die。
〃Arriveand quickly Edward's sorrows end。〃
I know you will think with me； that these lines are
beautiful； and merely a faint image of his manly
heart。 In the course of our ride； during which he did
nothing but converse on your beauty and merit； he
gave me a detailed narrative of his life。 It was
long； but I can do no less than favour you with an
abridgment of it。 Edward Stanley was early left an
orphan： no father's guardian eye directed his
footsteps； no mother's fostering care cherished his
infancy。 His estate was princely； and his family
noble； being a wronged branch of an English
potentate。 During his early youth he had to contend
against the machinations of a malignant uncle； who
would have robbed him of his large possessions；
and left him in black despair； to have eaten the
bread of penury。 His courage and understanding；
however； conquered this difficulty； and at the age
of fourteen he was quietly admitted to an
university。 Here he continued peacefully to wander
amid the academic bowers； until the blast of war
rung in his ears； and called him to the field of
honour。 Edward was ever foremost in the hour of
danger。 It was his fate to meet the enemy often；
and as often did 〃he pluck honour from the pale…
fac'd moon。〃 He fought at Chippewabled at the
side of the gallant Lawrence…and nearly laid down
his life on the ensanguined plains of Marengo。 But
it would be a fruitless task to include all the scenes
of his danger and his gl