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A HALF-HOUR before dinner, Mrs. Graham and her nieces, Mr.
Bruce, his sister Fanny, and Lieutenant Osborne, as they sat
in the large parlor, had their curiosity much excited by the merriment
which seemed to exist in Emily's room, directly above. It
was not noisy or rude, but strikingly genuine. Gertrude's clear
laugh was very distinguishable, and even Emily joined frequently
in the outburst which would every now and then occur; while
still another person appeared to be of the party, as a strange and
most singular voice occasionally mingled with the rest.

Kitty ran to the entry two or three times, to listen, and hear,
if possible, the subject of their mirth, and at last returned with
the announcement that Gertrude was coming down stairs with the
very queen of witches.

Presently Gertrude opened the door, which Kitty had slammed
behind her, and ushered in Miss Patty Pace, who advanced with
measured, mincing steps to Mrs. Graham, and, stopping in front
of her, made a low curtsey.

“How do you do, ma'am?” said Mrs. Graham, half inclined to
believe that Gertrude was playing off a joke upon her.

“This, I presume, is the mistress,” said Miss Patty.

Mrs. Graham acknowledged her claim to that title.

“A lady of presence!” said Miss Patty to Gertrude, in an
audible whisper, pronouncing each syllable with a manner and
emphasis peculiar to herself. Then, turning towards Belle, who
was shrinking into the shadow of a curtain, she approached her,
help up both hands in astonishment, and exclaimed, “Miss

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Isabella, as I still enjoy existence! and radiant, too, as the morning!
Bless my heart! how your youthful charms have expanded!”

Belle had recognized Miss Pace the moment she entered the
room, but, with foolish pride, was ashamed to acknowledge the
acquaintance of so eccentric an individual, and would have still
feigned ignorance, but Kitty now came forward, exclaiming,
“Why, Miss Pace, where did you come from?”

“Miss Catharina,” said Miss Pace, taking her hands in an ecstasy
of astonishment, “then you knew me! Blessings on your
memory of an old friend!”

“Certainly, I knew you in a minute; you're not so easily
forgotten, I assure you. Belle, don't you remember Miss Pace?
It's at your house I've always seen her.”

“O, is it she?” said Belle, with a poor attempt to conceal the
fact that she had any previous knowledge of a person who had
been a frequent visitor at her father's house, and was held in
esteem by both her parents.

“I apprehend,” said Miss Patty to Kitty, in the same loud
whisper, “that she carries a proud heart.”—Then, without having
appeared to notice the gentlemen, who were directly behind her,
she added, “Sparks, I see, Miss Catharina, young sparks!
Whose?—yours, or hers?”

Kitty laughed, for she saw that the young men heard her
and were much amused, and replied, without hesitation, “O,
mine, Miss Patty, mine, both of 'em!” Miss Patty now looked
round the room, and, missing Mr. Graham, advanced to his wife,
saying, “And where, madam, is the bridegroom?”

Mrs. Graham, a little confused, replied that her husband
would be in presently, and invited Miss Pace to be seated.

“No, mistress, I am obliged to you; I have an inquiring mind,
and, with your leave, will take a survey of the apartment. I love
to see everything that is modern.” She then proceeded to examine
the pictures upon the walls, but had not proceeded far
before she turned to Gertrude and asked, still loud enough to be
distinctly heard, “Gertrude, my dear, what have they done with
the second wife?” Gertrude looked surprised, and Miss Pace
corrected her remark, saying, “O, it is the counterfeit that I

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have reference to; the original, I am aware, departed long since;
but where is the counterfeit of the second Mistress Graham? It
always hung here, if my memory serves me.”

Gertrude whispered a reply to this question, and Miss Pace then
uttered the following soliloquy: “The garret! well, 't is the
course of nature; what is new obliterates the recollection, even,
of the old.”

She now linked her arm in Gertrude's, and made her the companion
of her survey. When they had completed the circuit of
the room, she stopped in front of the group of young people, all
of whom were eying her with great amusement, claimed acquaintance
with Mr. Bruce, and asked to be introduced to the
member of the war department, as she styled Lieutenant Osborne.
Kitty introduced her with great formality, and at the same time
presented the lieutenant to Gertrude, a ceremony which she felt
indignant that her aunt had not thought proper to perform. A
chair was now brought, Miss Patty joined their circle, and entertained
them until dinner-time. Gertrude again sought Emily's
room.

At the table, Gertrude, seated next to Emily, whose wants she
always made her care, and with Miss Patty on the other side,
had no time or attention to bestow on any one else; much to the
chagrin of Mr. Bruce, who was anxious she should observe his
assiduous devotion to Kitty, whose hair was adorned with moss-rose
buds and her face with smiles.

Belle was also made happy by the marked admiration of her
young officer, and no one felt any disposition to interfere with
either of the well-satisfied girls. Occasionally, however, some
remark made by Miss Pace irresistibly attracted the attention of
every one at the table, and extorted either the laughter it was
intended to excite, or a mirth which, though perhaps ill-timed, it
was impossible to repress.

Mr. Graham treated Miss Patty with the most marked politeness
and attention, and Mrs. Graham, who was possessed of great
suavity of manners when she chose to exercise it, and who
loved dearly to be amused, spared no pains to bring out the old
lady's conversational powers. She found, too, that Miss Patty

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was acquainted with everybody, and made most appropriate and
amusing comments upon almost every person who became the
topic of conversation. Mr. Graham at last led her to speak of
herself and her lonely mode of life; and Fanny Bruce, who sat
next, asked her, bluntly, why she never got married.

“Ah, my young miss,” said she, “we all wait our time, and I
may take a companion yet.”

“You should,” said Mr. Graham. “Now you have property,
Miss Pace, and ought to share it with some nice, thrifty man.”
Mr. Graham knew her weak point.

“I have but an insignificant trifle of worldly wealth,” said
Miss Pace, “and am not as youthful as I have been; but I may
suit myself with a companion, notwithstanding. I approve of
matrimony, and have my eye upon a young man.”

“A young man!” exclaimed Fanny Bruce, laughing.

“O, yes, Miss Frances,” said Miss Patty; “I am an admirer
of youth, and of everything that is modern. Yes, I cling to life—
I cling to life.”

“Certainly,” remarked Mrs. Graham, “Miss Pace must marry
somebody younger than herself; some one to whom she can leave
all her property, if he should happen to outlive her.”

“Yes,” said Mr. Graham; “at present you would not know
how to make a will, unless you left all your money to Gertrude,
here; I rather think she would make a good use of it.”

“That would certainly be a consideration to me,” said Miss
Pace; “I should dread the thought of having my little savings
squandered. Now, I know there's more than a sufficiency of
pauper population, and plenty that would be glad of legacies;
but I have no intention of bestowing on such. Why, sir, ninetenths
of them will always be poor. No, no! I shouldn't give
to such! No, no! I have other intentions.”

“Miss Pace,” asked Mr. Graham, “what has become of Gen.
Pace's family?”

“All dead!” replied Miss Patty, promptly, “all dead! I made
a pilgrimage to the grave of that branch of the family. It was
a melancholy and touching scene,” continued she, in a pathetic
tone of voice. “There was a piece of grassy ground, belted about

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with an iron railing, and in the centre a beautiful white-marble
monument, in which they were all buried; it was pure as alabaster,
and on it was inscribed these lines:

`Pace.' ”

“What were the lines?” inquired Mrs. Graham, who believed
her ears had deceived her.

“Pace, ma'am, Pace; nothing else.”

Solemn as was the subject, a universal titter pervaded the
circle; and Mrs. Graham, perceiving that Kitty and Fanny would
soon burst into uncontrollable fits of laughter, made the move for
the company to quit the table.

The gentlemen did not care to linger, and followed the ladies
into the wide entry, the refreshing coolness of which invited every
one to loiter there during the heat of the day. Miss Patty and
Fanny Bruce compelled the unwilling Gertrude to join the group
there assembled; and Mrs. Graham, who was never disposed to
forego her afternoon nap, was the only member of the family who
absented herself.

So universal was the interest Miss Patty excited, that all private
dialogue was suspended, and close attention given to whatever
topic the old lady was discussing.

Belle maintained a slightly scornful expression of countenance,
and tried, with partial success, to divert Lieutenant Osborne's
thoughts into another channel; but Kitty was so delighted with
Miss Pace's originality, that she made no attempt at any exclusive
conversation, and, with Mr. Bruce sitting beside her and joining
in her amusement, looked more than contented.

Dress and fashion, two favorite themes with Miss Patty, were
now introduced, and, after discoursing at some length upon her love
of the beautiful, as witnessed in the mantua-making and millinery
arts, she deliberately left her seat, and going towards Belle (the
only one of the company who seemed desirous to avoid her), began
to examine the material of her dress, and finally requested her to
rise and permit her to further inspect the mode in which it was
made, declaring the description of so modern and finished a master
piece of art would be a feast to the ears of some of her junior
acquaintances.

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Belle indignantly refused to comply, and shook off the hand
of the old lady as if there had been contamination in her touch.

“Do stand up, Belle,” said Kitty, in an under tone; “don't
be so cross.”

“Why don't you stand up yourself,” said Belle, “and show
off your own dress, for the benefit of her low associates?”

“She didn't ask me to,” replied Kitty, “but I will, with the
greatest pleasure, if she will condescend to look at it. Miss
Pace,” continued she, gayly, placing herself in front of the
inquisitive Miss Patty, “do admire my gown at your leisure,
and take a pattern of it, if you like; I should be proud of the
honor.”

For a wonder, Kitty's dress was pretty and well worthy of
observation. Miss Patty made many comments, especially on
the train, as she denominated its unnecessary and inconvenient
length; and then, her curiosity being satisfied, commenced retreating
towards the place she had left, first glancing behind her to
see if it was still vacant, and then moving towards it with a backward
motion, consisting of a series of curtseys.

Fanny Bruce, who stood near, observing that she had made an
exact calculation how many steps would be required to reach her
seat, placed her hand on the back of the chair, as if to draw it
away; and, encouraged by a look and smile from Isabel, moved
it, slightly, but still enough to endanger the old lady's safety.

On attempting to regain it, Miss Pace stumbled, and would
have fallen, but Gertrude—who had been watching. Fanny's proceedings—
sprung forward in time to fling an arm around her,
and place her safely in the chair, casting at the same time a
reproachful look at Fanny; who, much confused, turned to avoid
Gertrude's gaze, and in doing so accidentally trod on Mr. Graham's
gouty toes, which drew from him an exclamation of pain.

“Fan,” said Mr. Bruce, who had observed the latter accident
only, “I wish you could learn politeness.”

“Who am I to learn it from?” asked Fanny, pertly,—“you?”

Ben looked provoked, but forbore to reply; while Miss Pace,
who had now recovered her composure, took up the word and
said,

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“Politeness! Ah, a lovely, but rare virtue; perceptibly
developed, however, in the manners of my friend Gertrude,
which I hesitate not to affirm would well become a princess.”

Belle curled her lip, and smiled disdainfully. “Lieutenant
Osborne,” said she, “don't you think Miss Devereux has beautiful
manners?”

“Very fine,” replied the lieutenant; “the style in which she
receives company, on her reception-day, is elegance itself.”

“Who are you speaking of?” inquired Kitty; “Mrs. Harry
Noble?”

“Miss Devereux, we were remarking upon,” said Belle, “but
Mrs. Noble is also very stylish.”

“I think she is,” said Mr. Bruce; “do you hear, Fanny?—
we have found a model for you,—you must imitate Mrs. Noble.”

“I don't know anything about Mrs. Noble,” retorted Fanny;
“I'd rather imitate Miss Flint. Miss Gertrude,” said she,
with a seriousness which Gertrude rightly believed was intended
to express regret for her late rudeness, “how shall I learn politeness?”

“Do you remember,” asked Gertrude, speaking low, and giving
Fanny a look full of meaning, “what your music-master
told you about learning to play with expression? I should give
you the same rule for improvement in politeness.”

Fanny blushed deeply.

“What is that?” said Mr. Graham; “let us know, Fanny,
what is Gertrude's rule for politeness.”

“She only said,” answered Fanny, “that it was the same my
music-master gave me last winter.”

“And what did he say?” inquired her brother, with a tone of
interest.

“I asked Mr. Hermann,” said Fanny, “how I should learn to
play with expression, and he said, `You must cultivate your heart,
Miss Bruce; you must cultivate your heart.' ”

This new direction for the attainment of a great accomplishment
was received with countenances that indicated as great a
variety of sentiment as there was difference of character among
Fanny's audience. Mr. Graham bit his lip, and walked away;

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for his politeness was founded on no such rule, and he knew that
Gertrude's was. Belle looked glorious disdain; Mr. Bruce and
Kitty, puzzled and half amused; while Lieutenant Osborne proved
himself not quite callous to a noble truth, by turning upon
Gertrude a glance of admiration and interest. Emily's face
evidenced how fully she coincided in the opinion thus unintentionally
made public, and Miss Patty unhesitatingly expressed
her approbation.

“Miss Gertrude's remark is undeniably a verity,” said she.
“The only politeness which is trustworthy is the spontaneous
offering of the heart. Perhaps this goodly company of masters
and misses would condescend to give ear to an old woman's tale
of a rare instance of true politeness, and the fitting reward it
met.”

All professed a strong desire to hear Miss Patty's story, and
she began:

“On a winter's day, some years ago, an old woman of many
foibles and besetting weaknesses, but with a keen eye and her
share of wordly wisdom,—Miss Patty Pace by name,—started
by special invitation for the house of one worshipful Squire Clinton,
the honored parent of Miss Isabella, the fair damsel yonder.
Every tall tree in our good city was spangled with frost-work,
more glittering far than gems that sparkle in Golconda's mine,
and the side-walks were a snare to the feet of the old and the
unwary.

“I lost my equilibrium, and fell. Two gallant gentlemen
lifted and carried me to a neighboring apothecary's emporium,
restored my scattered wits, and revived me with a fragrant
cordial. I went on my way with many a misgiving, however, and
scarcely should I have reached my destination with bones unbroken,
had it not been for a knight with a rosy countenance, who
overtook me, placed my old arm within his own more strong and
youthful one, and protected my steps to the very end of my
journey. No slight courage either, my young misses, did my
noble escort need, to carry him through what he had undertaken.
Paint to your imaginations a youth fresh and beautiful as a sunbeam,
straight as an arrow,—a perfect Apollo, indeed,—linked

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to the little bent body of poor Miss Patty Pace. I will not
spare myself, young ladies; for, had you seen me then, you would
consider me now vastly ameliorated in outward presentment.
My double row of teeth were stowed away in my pocket, my
frisette was pushed back from my head by my recent fall, and my
gogs—the same my father wore before me—covered my face,
and they alone attracted attention, and created some excitement.
But he went on unmoved; and, in spite of many a captivating
glance and smile from long rows of beautiful young maidens
whom we met, and many a sneer from the youths of his own age,
he sustained my feeble form with as much care as if I had been
an empress, and accommodated his buoyant step to the slow movement
which my infirmities compelled. Ah! what a spirit of conformity
he manifested!—my knight of the rosy countenance!—
Could you have seen him, Miss Catharina, or you, Miss Frances,
your palpitating hearts would have taken flight forever. He was
a paragon, indeed.

“Whither his own way tended I cannot say, for he moved in
conformity to mine, and left me not until I was safe at the abode
of Mistress Clinton. I hardly think he coveted my old heart,
but I sometimes believe it followed him; for truly he is still a
frequent subject of my meditations.”

“Ah! then that was his reward!” exclaimed Kitty.

“Not so, Miss Kitty; guess again.”

“I can think of nothing so desirable, Miss Patty.”

“His fortune in life, Miss Catharina,—that was his reward; it
may be that he cannot yet estimate the full amount of his recompense.”

“How so?” exclaimed Fanny.

“I will briefly narrate the rest. Mistress Clinton encouraged
me always to converse much in her presence. She knew my taste,
was disposed to humor me, and I was pleased to be indulged. I
told my story, and enlarged upon the merits of my noble youth,
and his wonderful spirit of conformity. The squire, a gentleman
who estimates good breeding, was present, with his ears open;
and when I recommended my knight with all the eloquence I
could command, he was amused, interested, pleased. He

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promised to see the boy, and did so; the noble features spake for
themselves, and gained him a situation as clerk, from which he
has since advanced in the ranks, until now he occupies the position
of partner and confidential agent in a creditable and wealthy
house. Miss Isabella, it would rejoice my heart to hear the
latest tidings from Mr. William Sullivan.”

“He is well, I believe,” said Isabella, sulkily. “I know nothing
to the contrary.”

“O, Gertrude knows,” said Fanny. “Gertrude knows all
about Mr. Sullivan; she will tell you.”

All turned, and looked at Gertrude, who, with face flushed,
and eyes glistening with the interest she felt in Miss Patty's narrative,
stood leaning upon Emily's chair. Miss Patty now
appealed to her, much surprised, however, at her having any
knowledge of her much-admired and well-remembered young
escort. Gertrude drew near, and answered all her questions
without the least hesitation or embarrassment, but in a tone of
voice so low that the others, most of whom felt no interest in
Willie, entered into conversation, and left her and Miss Patty to
discourse freely concerning a mutual friend.

Gertrude gave Miss Pace a brief account of the wonder and
curiosity which Willie and his friends had felt concerning the
original author of his good fortune; and the old lady was so
entertained and delighted at hearing of the various conjectures
and doubts which arose on the reception of Mr. Clinton's unexpected
summons, and of the matter being finally attributed to
the agency of Santa Claus, that her laugh was nearly as loud,
and quite as heart-felt, as that of the gay party near the door-step,
whom Kitty and Fanny had excited to unusual merriment.
Miss Pace was just taxing Gertrude with interminable compliments
and messages of remembrance to be despatched in her next
letter to Willie, when Mrs. Graham presented herself, refreshed
both in dress and countenance since her map, and arrested the
attention of the whole company, by exclaiming, in her abrupt
manner and loud tones,

“What! are you all here still? I thought you were bound

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for a walk in the woods. Kitty, what has become of your cherished
scheme of climbing Sunset Hill?”

“I proposed it, aunt, an hour ago, but Belle insisted it was too
warm. I think the weather is just right for a walk.”

“It will soon be growing cool,” said Mrs. Graham, “and I think
you had better start; it is some distance if you go round
through the woods.”

“Who knows the way?” asked Kitty.

No one responded to the question, and, on being individually
appealed to, all professed total ignorance; much to the astonishment
of Gertrude, who believed that every part of the woody
ground and hill beyond were familiar to Mr. Bruce. She did
not stay, however, to hear any further discussion of their plans;
for Emily was beginning to suffer from headache and weariness,
and Gertrude, perceiving it, insisted that she should seek the
quiet of her own room, to which she herself accompanied her.
She was just closing the chamber-door, when Fanny called from
the staircase, “Miss Gertrude, an't you going to walk with us?”

“No,” replied Gertrude, “not to-day.”

“Then I won't go,” said Fanny, “if you don't. Why don't
you go, Miss Gertrude?”

“I shall walk with Miss Emily, by and by, if she is well
enough; you can accompany us, if you like, but I think you
would enjoy going to Sunset Hill much more.”

Meantime a whispered consultation took place below, in which
some one suggested that Gertrude was well acquainted with the
path which the party wished to follow through the woods. Belle
opposed her being invited to join them; Kitty hesitated between
her liking for Gertrude and her fears regarding Mr. Bruce's
allegiance; Lieutenant Osborne forbore to urge what Belle disapproved;
and Mr. Bruce remained silent, trusting to the final
necessity of her being invited to act as guide, in which capacity
he had purposely concealed his own ability to serve. This necessity
was so obvious, that, as he had foreseen, Kitty was at last
despatched to find Gertrude and make known their request.

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