’Twas a subject some slyly had whispered in jest;

Louisa denied it at first, then confessed

To a folly her heart would no longer conceal,

Which most girls, though dying, would scarcely reveal—

Confession’s a troublesome thing in our youth—

But see how Louisa could tell the whole truth.

LOUISA’S STORY

They tell I passed the store six times to-day

And just to get a glimpse of Alfred Gray.

The very idea of such a thing!