“A very convenient person indeed,” said Anne.

“Loosing the knot of a difficulty by the intervention of such a Power, shows but little ingenuity, I confess,” said Bernard.

“There is classical authority for it, though,” said Mr. Armstrong.  “Homer, himself, condescends to introduce a God, when he cannot extricate himself from embarrassment without his help.”

“Aye,” said Bernard, “but the rule of Horace must not be forgotten, nec Deus,” &c.

“True,” said Mr. Armstrong; “but how would you have accomplished the feat, like one of the labors of Hercules, without some such means?”

“I do not pretend to be able to do it,” answered Bernard, modestly; “but, doubtless, one possessed of more imagination could have accomplished it.”

“You are but a cold advocate for your friend,” said Faith.  “You do not allow him half the merit he deserves”

“He would not complain were he to hear me,” said Bernard.  “No one can be more sensible than himself, of the defects of his work.”

“And I say,” said Anne, “that I like his story exceedingly; only, he knows nothing about our sex.  It may be all very well for a man to praise that hard-hearted Wampum-head, and make poor Leelinau pine away for his precious sake, but, I do not believe she was so silly as to care much about him.”

“If the truth were known,” said Pownal, “I have no doubt that the girl rejected him, because she liked some one else better.”

“And her ungallant beau,” said Anne, “made up the story, to cover his confusion.”

“I am satisfied with it as it is,” said Faith.  “We pity and love Leelinau, now; her haughtiness and pride are forgotten in her misfortunes, and we remember her as one faithful unto death.”

“Your tale reminds me,” said Pownal, addressing Bernard, “that there is a tremendous freshet in the Wootuppocut, and that the waters are increasing.  Suppose, if the ladies consent, we make up a party, to view it, to-morrow?”

The proposition was received with approbation by all, and it was agreed, that they would meet at the house of Mr. Armstrong, as the starting-point, on the afternoon of the next day.  The evening being now considerably advanced, Faith’s friends took their leave.

The nine o’clock bell was ringing, as the young people passed through the quiet streets.  The custom of ringing a bell, at that hour, is one which has fallen into desuetude, although, once, almost universal in New England, and may be said to bear some relation to the vesper-bell, in Roman Catholic countries.  Its avowed object, indeed, was not, as in the case of the latter, to call the people to prayers, but, its effect, perhaps, was the same; for, it marked the hour at which the population of the village were in the habit of retiring to rest; and, in those days of simple faith, many were the families whose members united together, before seeking their pillows, to return thanks for the blessings of the day, and ask for protection during the defenceless hours of the night.  Luxury and dissipation have since crept in, and parties assemble, now, at an hour when they formerly broke up.  We call ourselves more refined, but, it may admit of a doubt, whether all our show and parade are not purchased at too dear a rate, at the price of substantial comfort and happiness.