122 A CONTRE-TEMPS.

he, leaving Marianne in the outer room. The old
ladies were very indulgent to their nephew; they
guessed all kinds of things, but could not come near
the truth. At length he went out, and returned with
Marianne, saying, “ My dear aunts, I introduce to
you your niece.”

It was a most complete shock—they thought that
he was married, and that this was his wife. ‘* Your
wife ?” asked they.

“ No,” returned he, “not my wife, I wish it were,
but my sister, that sweet little sister Susan of whom
1 used to talk so much. Is she not sweet and charm-
ing, and does she not look good and loveable ?”

“ Sit down, sit down, my dear,” said Joanna, who,
though taken so by surprise, could not help seeing
how confused and agitated the poor girl seemed.

Reynolds, who was quite vehement in his delight,
would not, however, let her sit down till she had
taken off her cloak and bonnet, that they might see,”
he said, “‘ what a sweet little sister she was.”

Poor Marianne, more confused now than ever, took
the seat which Joanna offered to her. She was more
confused and agitated every moment. That Reynolds
was her brother she had never doubted for a moment ;
but this surely was not the aunt which she had heard
described by her mother. This aunt had never been
married surely! she wore no wedding-ring. The most _
fearful misgivings came over her mind ; she felt almost
faint with apprehension. ‘ And where then is Mrs.
Osborne?” asked she with anxious fear.

“ My dear,” said Joanna, ‘“‘ Mrs. Osborne has been
dead these four years.”

“‘She was my aunt! I have made some strange,
some frightful mistake,” said she, rising, and almost