It is no less strange than true, that, however intimate friends of the same sex may be, there is ever a disposition to assume a certain air, as it were, of patronage on one or the other part; and without any serious intention of committing malicious injury, great mischief may ensue, from the foolish belief of one that he or she could (if they would) alter the fate of the other in peace or war, love or hate, business or idleness.

Christina Smith had, from her earliest youth, entertained a warm affection for her old playmate and schoolmate, Katharine Wing. Both were “lovely in their lives,” though very little resemblant in their separate attractions. Christina was slender, moderately tall, with regular features, but with a pallor of complexion, that, while it indicated great delicacy and sensibility, intimated also to the beholder of her charms, that she held them with but a slight tenure. Katharine, on the contrary, was ruddy-cheeked, plump, and looked altogether like one that could laugh the world to scorn—laugh[62] at every body and every thing, and being possessed of excellent health, ought to have an imperturbable good temper. All this she, in reality, possessed, but in addition—as Nature has ordained that perfection shall never centre in an individual—she had a spirit of coquetry—innocent coquetry she imagined it to be—which cast a shadow over her otherwise fair character and accomplishments.

Christina was, as every young lady of eighteen imagines herself to be, in love and beloved. Alas! that time should tell us how cruelly deceived and deceiving we are! Her lover was a young Irishman, “ardent as the sun”—importunate with billet-doux, anxious for reunions—waiting with eager impatience for the happy time when, his diploma and his majority obtained, he might offer himself, body and soul, to his true love, who equally doted on him.

As a matter of course, Katharine was well advised of all this most momentous history—gave her opinion on every separate step of its progress—was understood to be the confidante of her friend as it advanced, and the bridesmaid when completed. Who would not have anticipated a hearty co-operation from the playmate of infancy, the companion of youth? Alas! the wild ambition of patronage is stronger than friendship, the spirit of coquetry is superior to love!

[63]
“The course of true love never does run smooth.”

So sayeth Shakspeare, and so have all found it who have indulged in the seducing, uncertain passion. A slight expostulation with the young man as to his habits, which were somewhat irregular—as the habits of students in this and in most countries generally are—produced a lovers’ quarrel, and they parted with strong protestations of the lips that they should meet no more. No sooner had separation taken place, than cool reflection came to both. Each most bitterly regretted what had been said in haste, but neither was willing to be the first to say peccavi. In this emergency Christina bethought her to call on her dear friend, consult her, and derive what consolation she could from her advice and good wishes.

Accustomed to enter unhesitatingly into the house in which Katharine lived with her aunt, she passed up stairs to her boudoir without alarming any of the inmates or attendants, and sat down waiting for her approach. Half an hour had elapsed, when her attention was arrested by the noise of voices in earnest conversation on the sta............