her hand, and when about to propose a plan to secure her against such annoyances for ever, her mother entered and introduced the stranger to me.  His name was Nicholson, and he stated that he was a partner in a large banking establishment in Lombard Street.  He was past the bloom of youth, but still his fine clothes and his reputed wealth were displeasing to me.  I was especially chagrined at the marked attention shown him by Juliet’s mother.  And my annoyance was increased by the frequent lascivious glances he cast at the maiden.  The more I marked him, the more was my uneasiness.  It soon occurred to me that I had seen him before!  He resembled a person I had seen driving rapidly along the highway in a chariot, on the morning that I first beheld my Juliet.  But my recollection of his features was indistinct.  There was a condescending suavity in his manners, and sometimes a positive and commanding tone in his conversation, that almost roused my enmity in spite of my peaceful calling and friendly disposition.  It was my intention to remain at the cottage, and propose to Juliet after he had departed.  But my purpose was defeated, for he declared his intention to enjoy the country air till evening, and I returned, disappointed and dispirited, to the city.

“A few days afterwards I visited the cottage again.  What was my surprise and vexation to behold Mr. Nicholson there!  He was seated, with his patronizing smile, between Juliet and her mother, and presenting them various richly bound books, jewels, &c., which seemed to me to be received with much gratification.  I was welcomed with the usual frankness and pleasure by Juliet, but I thought her mother’s reception was less cordial, and Mr. Nicholson regarded me with manifest indifference.  I made an ineffectual effort at vivacity, and after an hour’s stay, during which my remarks gradually narrowed down to monosyllables, (while Mr. Nicholson became excessively loquacious,) I rose to depart.  Juliet made an endeavour to accompany me to the door, where I hoped to be assured of her true affection for me by her own lips, but some pointed inquiry (I do not now recollect what) from Nicholson, which was seconded in a positive manner by her mother, arrested her steps, and while she hesitated, I bad her adieu, and departed for the city, resolved never to see her again.

“It was about a month after the above occurrence that my resolution gave way, and I was again on the road to the cottage, with my mind made up to forgive and forget every thing that had offended me, and to offer my hand where my heart seemed to be already irrevocably fixed.  When I entered who should I see but the eternal thwarter of my happiness, the ever-present Nicholson!  But horror! he was now the wedded lord of Juliet!  The ceremony was just over.  There were but two or three strangers present besides the clergyman.  Bride, groom, guests, and all were hateful to my sight.  The minister, particularly, I thought had a demoniac face, similar to that of one