VI.

Aurora-Cayuga Lake-The Pic-nic.

"BAGGAGE for the steamboat, Mr. Mortimer." "Yes, captain. Here are my checks. How are they all at Aurora ?"

Well, sir. Your place is looking finely. Jimmy is a faithful and active hand. Everything is trim. Won't the people be glad to see you! I did not expect you until next week; but last evening's papers said you were to leave the Astor en route for Niagara, with a large party of friends. I knew you would not pass Aurora. But are you really going West ?"

"Yes, captain. I believe the girls have planned a trip to the Falls."

The party we left en route up the noble Hudson, were now passengers on board a little steamer which plies on that beautiful inland sheet of water known, in song and descriptive writings of travellers, as Cayuga Lake. Aurora is about twenty miles up the lake, and is justly called the paradise of New York. For beauty of scenery no place in the State, we venture to assert, can surpass it. The residences of the inhabitants are mostly built on a scale of princely magnificence, blended with true taste and refinement.

A couple of hours afterwards, Mrs. Mortimer was acting the part of hostess to her friends, while her daughter Bell, with the eager longing and ardent temperament of a youthful heart, went bounding from room to room, giving vent to the pent up love for her beautiful home, which had been accumulating during a six months' absence. This was her cousin Clara's first visit to Aurora. Of course there was enough to occupy their attention. With two young gentlemen, one to be introduced to her circle of acquaintances and also one beautiful cousin such as Clara Edgemonte really was, for, though of a different style, Clara's beauty almost rivalled that of her cousin Bell. Bell, however, was not the one to rise upon the misfortunes of others. Jealousy was a stranger to her heart; consequently, she could and did love her cousin Clara with the true and earnest affection of her nature. But, added to all this, Mr. and Mrs. Edgemonte were not least thought of in Bell's plans and projects for the week.

"To-morrow, at five o'clock precisely, wind and weather permitting, Messrs. Fred. Mortimer and James Mordaunt are politely requested to prepare for a cruise on the bosom of the Cayuga," said Bell, putting on the look and action of a queen.

"We are her majesty's most humble servants," responded Fred. "The winds and waves of old Cayuga will indeed be honored by so much loveliness reclining upon her breast. The hour will be propitious, if the officers and crew of our Fairy Queen's yacht are allowed the privilege of obeying the song in the old primer

'Early to bed and early to rise ;'

to that end, Mr. Mordaunt, shall we bid the ladies good night?"

"Not until I have obtained from them," replied Mr. Mordaunt, "that promised duet. I call for the music first."

"I suppose it is my duty to set an example of obedience if I expect obedience in return," said Bell. "Come, fair coz-ah! thank you, Fred-that piano was gracefully opened. Clara, dear, you must preside at the instrument. We will give you, Mr. Mordaunt, but one piece, and that shall send you to the arms of gentle slumber."

The two cousins then sang together that exquisitely beautiful duet commencing—

Bell, having prepared everything for the morning's pleasure, retired to her room, in company with her cousin Clara. She was yet entirely unsuspicious of the sentiments which were moulding the conduct of Mr. Mordaunt. Her thoughts of him and acts for his pleasure flowed wholly from a desire to please her father's friend and guest. Clara, however, was not so blinded. She, more alive to the workings of Mordaunt's countenance, had read his inmost thoughts, and correctly. She was well acquainted with Mrs. Tryon. She knew also how devotedly attached Mordaunt was to his aunt. She had witnessed Mrs. Tryon's efforts to win the favor and friendship of the Mortimers during their visit at New York, six months before. She knew also Mordaunt's base heart; but we anticipate.

Oh, how the poor girl longed to pour forth her inmost soul into the ear of her loved cousin; but she dare not! She was restrained by the thought, perhaps Bell will regard my tale as a base fabrication; perhaps she will think I love Mordaunt. No, I had better not. Oh, if I were only certain! How little was she aware how much this erroneous judgment was to cost her cousin Bell! Had she but spoken that night, Bell would have postponed indefinitely all sails, rides, visits, etc., and allowed Mr. Mordaunt to find his pleasure in the society of the gentlemen and elder ladies.

"To-morrow," thought Clara, "I will tell her all. Good night! dear Bell, good night!" and gently kissing each other, they were soon wandering in the pleasant grottoes and fairy scenes of happy dream-land.

"Girls ahoy! arouse thee from thy slumbers, gentle fairies! The day is just beginning. My fairhaired cousin Clara will, I fear, disavow all connection with the times and customs of this country lifefive strokes the faithful clock has sounded, and still she dreams. Bell, arouse thee! Ah! what's that? Gently, gently tapping from a chamber door,' and a soft, sweet accent says, 'We're coming soon, dear Fred.' Well, all is right! Fair ladies, when fairly awake, unfairly take our senses captive; but all those who are worth a white moss-rose bud, know how to give a hungry man his daily fare, and thus balance the account, making it unfair to complain of them." Thus soliloquized Fred, as he returned to his room.

"Yes, yes, boy! that's fair in the main. Man pays the fare and the women prepare the fare. But what has roused you at this hour?"

"Bell's orders, Uncle Harry. The Ensenore' is

to skim the waves this morning. We, that is the young people, are to breakfast about six miles up the lake." Well, well, man! take good care of the freight. I feel considerable interest in two consignments you will have on board. The breeze is somewhat fresh, but I believe it is safe;" and Uncle Harry shuffled back into his room with his boots in hand.

The party, consisting of Bell, Clara, Mr. Mordaunt, and Frederick, were soon collected on the beach where Frederick had already prepared the graceful little yacht, Ensenore, belonging to his father. The seats had been duly dried of the night dew; the mast had been stepped, and the sails were all in trim order, ready to be set. Bell's baskets and bundles, of course, were not forgotten. In a few moments the party were gliding swiftly up the lake, under the impulse of a strong and steady northwest breeze.

"We shall have to beat back if this wind continues," said Fred, who held the tiller.

"No croaking, sir," said Bell. "This is the hour for fancy, eloquence, wit, sentiment ”

"And song-if you will allow me to ask the favor, Miss Mortimer," said Mordaunt. "We separated amid strains sweetly sounding; what so à propos as their echo this morning?"

"Well, Fred, thou manly Palinurus," replied Bell, "begin the strain.”

Fred obeyed, giving the following song of old

ocean:

Ho! THE DEEP!

"Ho! the deep! the deep! with its waves to leap,

As they haste for the land afar;

I would rather sail to the notes of the gale,

Than gather the spoils of war.