Beds, for hyacinths and other bulbs, may be prepared at leisure, though they will not require to be planted before September; so that there is plenty of time to provide the sand and fresh sweet mould, and well-rotted stable or cow-dung, in which they succeed best. Many kinds, such as lilies, bulbous-rooted iris, narcissi, crownimperials, &c., which are usually kept in the ground, may now be transplanted if desirable; the roots may also be divided if requisite, but they must be immediately replaced. Dahlias are now fast coming into bloom, and will require to be carefully freed from insect devastators which infest them. Where the lateral branches are very numerous, they should be thinned; but I would advise against cutting out too many branches. It is better to sacrifice the buds than to tamper with the health and strength of the plants, to which the foliage is essential. Pelargoniums (those at least that have adorned the windows) have by this time nearly or quite done blowing. They should be at once headed down, taking care to cut them to a good shape; and the cuttings may be struck without any trouble. Verbena melindris (Chamædrifolia) may also be propagated by taking off runners and planting them in small pots, half-filled with potsherds and the rest with good loamy soil; after which, place the pots in the shade, till the plants have rooted. The sooner this is done in the month the better; and by means of exchange it is possible to procure a very pretty variety, that, with protection, in the window of a cool room, will stand the winter, and come in charmingly to adorn the flower-beds in May or June. Another plan is to sink boxes filled as above close to the plants, and to peg down the runners in them; when sufficient of these are rooted, they can be cut off from the parent plant. This is, perhaps, a more certain method of procuring strong plants than the first. No time should now be lost in collecting a good supply of chrysanthemums for indoors flowering. If not already potted, set about it without delay. The dwarf plants, only a few inches high, are very pretty, with flowers proportionably small. They require the richest soil, and should have the head pinched off, to induce laterals and form a bushy plant. The tops put in make small flowering dwarf plants. Amongst other preparations for indoors gardening, continue to set mignonette in pots, and provide musk-plants by cuttings; though to them. A plant or two of sweet-briar, myrtle, and of layer this plant is a still better way of procuring the lemon-scented verbena (Aloysia cetriodara), and some of the old-fashioned pelargoniums with perfumed leaves (such as the nutmeg, citron, and rose-scented), will make a fragrant bouquet without flowers; but if to these are added Daphne japonica and D. hybrida, the pink flowers of the one, and the dull purple ones of the other (which, however, keeps up an almost constant succession of efflorescence and are highly fragrant), will give cheerfulness and beauty to any apartment in which they are given a place. In the mean while, the homelier but essential duties of looking after the grass-plot and gardenpaths must not be lost sight of. A firm, close turf, which is only to be obtained by frequent mowing and rolling, will stand the winter; and its greenness may be maintained even at this arid season by watering it with any weak alkaline solution: in fact, nothing answers better than diluted soap-suds, owing to the soda dissolved in it. See that the stakes which support the dahlias are firm, and give these plants abundance of water; tie up any straggling plant, remove dying roots, and cut down decaying flowers. By these means the beauty of the garden may be prolonged, and continue not only a pleasant object to ourselves, but to our neighbours. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS. -- The Editor begs it to be understood, that she can in no case undertake to return rejected MSS., or forward parts of the Magazine, unless sufficient stamps are sent to cover the expense of postage, &c. Correspondents are requested to keep copies of all short articles. All communications requiring private answers must contain a stamped envelope and address. In future no invidious exceptions will be made to this rule, which the increase of correspondence renders imperative. Correspondents not answered by post, will please to refer to this page for replies to their various inquiries. Contributions received after the first week in the month cannot possibly appear in the next number of this publication. It is particularly requested that all MSS. will in future be addressed to the Editor, at 246, Strand. Printed by Rogerson and Tuxford, 246, Strand, London. THE LADIES' COMPANION. SEPTEMBER, 1857. LEAVES FROM LILY'S NOT E-BOOK. (A Tale in Nine Chapters.) BY THE AUTHOR OF "MAGDALEN STAFFORD." CHAP. V. "Ask me no more: thy fate and mine are seal'd: TENNYSON. More than two months have passed since last I opened my note-book; and where am I to begin again? With the evening of the flowershow?-for it was there I left off. But why should I recall that, when so much has happened beside? Aunt Julia received me very kindly, and seemed to have had a most agreeable day. "On the whole, my dear," she said, "I think it was just as well you did not come with me. It does not do to seem too anxious to secure Captain Neville. But Mrs. Neville made a great many inquiries after you, and seemed quite concerned at your absence. Montague Neville is her favourite son, and Sophy tells me she would do anything he wishes. So, though I daresay the Dean would like a more distinguished little daughter-in-law, I believe he must content himself, Lily." 66 I heard her so far; but then I turned from the window, where I was watching the stars lighting up one by one, and pointing skywards I said, Look, Aunt Julia, I think no more of Captain Neville than I do of that red planet Mars-not so much, in fact, for that is so very beautiful!" "Lily," said Aunt Julia, unaltered, «І regret to see you so consumed with 10mance. I shall forbid your visits to the Hamiltons: you are always worse after you have been with themand very strange people they are, too. I call it most improper of Mary Hamilton, an engaged woman, to receive the very marked attentions of Mr. Hanmer." Poor dear Aunt Julia! Attentions never seem out of her head. " 66 way, And," she went on, "by the where was Mr. Everard ?" I could have answered that question, but instead I made some hurried inquiries after the archery meeting at General Dacre's. "You must not be absent from that, Lily." I assured her I had no intention of the sort: no, I thought I had done enough for Mary Hamilton now. "But," said Aunt Julia, "the Miss Nevilles say that you must practise a great deal with them, before you can shoot at the General's." And thus, accordingly, my mornings were spent. I didn't altogether dislike it. We were very merry, and archery is very pleasant work; and I soon found that a little sufficed to keep Captain Neville in a good humour. And thenMr. Everard was there! I laughed, now, to think how it used to fret me to see him and Edith Neville together. Now I didn't mind it in the least. Always, when I was tired of Captain Neville, or had had enough of the archery, he was at hand to talk to me, or to listen to me, if it was only to speak enigmatically of the Hamiltons, or satirically of Sophy Cartwright; or, best of all, kindly of dear Sandyholms. And I used to be quite content, even when Edith Neville would not allow of this, to sit with my arms round Glaucus's neck, and watch the others. Yes, those mornings in the sunny old gardens of the Deanery were pleasant enough: but of all the days this summer, the pleasantest was one which yet, through all this preamble, I am nerving myself up to write about-the archery at General Dacre's. There was no question of Mary Hamilton's going there. We seemed all by tacit consent to admit that she had had enough amusement for the present. More and more rarely I saw Glaucus at the Gate-house-perhaps, because so much of his time was spent in the garden of the Deanery. When I saw the sisters, Agnes treated me more lovingly than ever; but of Mary I knew as little as on that first day when I saw her standing in the doorway, holding out her hand to Mr. Everard. Yet she looked happier than then. There was a faint flush in her cheek, and a K steady radiance in her eye, that seemed reflected | dear, you know it is what Montague Neville back in her brother's kind face. I got to like likes that concerns you, and not what pleases him very much-better and better, more and Walter Everard.” more. But the archery? yes, I am coming to it. Sophy Cartwright came to stay with us for it, her father and mother not meaning to go. The night before, I had followed her to her room, and as I was lingering there, she said, "Well, Lily, who is to be the hero of your dreams to-night?" I laughed, and said, "Of course the hero of to-morrow." "But who is that?" said Sophy. "Sit down, Lily, and give me a plain answer.' I sat down, but was silent, and she continued: "Now I am going to give you some good advice, you foolish, silly little thing !"-Was she not rude to me?— "Don't try poor Montague Neville's patience too far it has limits, I warn you!" "I have not found them," I answered, suppressing a smile. "You little piece of vanity! But you will." "And that would not immoderately grieve me,' I returned. "Why not, I should be glad to know? "Which I do not covet." Be "Good manners, and a handsome face?" said Sophy, in a breath crowding out all his advantages. "Not to be compared to " I did not finish my sentence, but regarded Sophy with infinite malice. "How conscious you are, Sophy!" She turned sharply upon me: "Lily, it was an unlucky day for you when you met Walter Everard." "It was a charming day, Sophy; don't slander it; it has given me a pleasant summer-and it is something in one's life to have a pleasant summer." "Aye, but there is a winter to follow: remember that, Lily." "I like what pleases myself best of all," I answered; at which Sophy laughed, and said she believed I spoke truly there. But it was so dreadful to think of dressing and going to this archery just to please Captain Neville. "And," I added, "there is Mr. Hamilton, a clever, superior man, worth fifty thousand Captain Nevilles! And I am sure, if one went in sackcloth and ashes, he would never remark it." "Great powers of observation he must have, to be sure!" said Sophy, adjusting a rebellious curl, which I instantly pulled back again into the wrong place. At last I was finished. Sophy told me I looked as if I thought myself decked for the sacrifice. "And so unmanageable a victim was, I suppose, never yet led to the altar!" she added. "But I could not reply to her; for at this moment, as we stood at the garden-gate waiting for Aunt Julia, my eyes had wandered down the street towards the Gate-house, and there, with his fore-paws stretched out before him, and his tongue rolling out of his mouth, lay Glaucus, in profound meditation. Was his master there? Would he stay there all day? If I had followed my own inclinations, I should just have run down the street, and asked him the question: but, instead, I had to follow Sophy into the carriage, and only feel very thankful that she had not remarked the direction my eyes had taken. But the thought haunted me all through the grey silent streets, all along the dusty roads, all through the green lane up which we drove for coolness. And when our carriage stopped before the Grecian portico that forms the entrance to General Dacre's mansion, my thought was still," Will Walter Everard come?" The doubt subdued me so, that I listened meekly to Captain Neville's platitudes, and submitted without a murmur to his mother's care of me. I did as they bid, and followed as they led me; and everywhere, through mirrored saloons, and bust-peopled libraries, and cold classic halls, I looked for one whom I never saw. I took up my candle, and wished her good- I followed my friends through gardens, where night; and when we met next morning, it was flowers were glowing and fountains playing, out not with much cordiality, at least on my part. to the sloping lawn and ferny park, till we arAs for Sophy, she was as insufferably good-rived at the archery-ground. This would at tempered and as kindly patronising as ever, and fussed and worried about my toilet almost as much as Aunt Julia. I chose one bonnet, she insisted on the other; and after a whispered remark to Aunt Julia she came forward, and I was compelled to put away the one with the pretty sprays of hawthorn blossom for a frightfully elaborate chapeau which Captain Neville had once admired. "I hate men who notice dress," I said to Sophy, when Aunt Julia was gone. "I don't think Mr. Everard knows one colour from another; and I am sure that, as to noticing a bonnet, he would scorn such foppery!" "How grand!” said Sophy. "But now, my any other time have charmed me. The targets were set up in three long avenues of beech, disposed like the nave and aisles of a cathedral; and at the end of the central avenue, you could just descry the glancing river that murmured to the summer woods around it. The deer looked on from afar, displeased at the intrusion on their domain; and the wood-pigeon fled to more distant shades, where she cooed her changeless lullaby. It was all very fair and bright; but yet it wanted something. As in a dream, I took my place amongst the archers, and Captain Neville was congratulating me upon my success, and assuring me I should win the prize from Edith; when, glancing aside, |