tion of the times. He is thought to have been occasionally unsparing towards his enemies, but he was never known to desert a friend; and if we survey him in private life, we shall find him sincere and open in himself, abhorring duplicity in others, firm in all his attachments, an affectionate and obedient brother, a fond husband, and an indulgent father."

Though this portrait, as far as it went, was impartial, its omissions rendered it strikingly imperfect To complete the picture, the minister should have added that his royal master was arbitrary, choleric, and obstinate; at once weak and severe, uxorious and inconstant; infatuated with a vain notion of the divine right of kings, and the duty of passive obedience in subjects; and that his religion, so far from its being an ennobling and purifying principle, emasculated instead of invigorating his understanding, and hardened instead of mollifying his heart, until it degenerated into a blind and reckless bigotry, which, utterly obscuring all his better qualities, plunged him at length into irretrievable ruin.

It was not, however, Walter's business to contravene any portion of Sunderland's encomium, which had not been uttered in any sincerity of heart, but for the purpose of its being overheard by some of the busy listeners, who always dogged the minister's footsteps. Our young soldier, indeed, felt infinitely too much flattered by his reception to think of arraying his Majesty's failings against his virtues, and therefore rendered a willing acquiescence to the panegyric that had just been pronounced.

Sunderland then alluded slightly to the message he had sent by Seagrave respecting the bravoes, and reverting immediately to Mrs. Audley, declared that from a recent interview he had had with that lady, he was convinced Walter had made a decided impression upon her heart, urging him to press his suit without a moment's delay; but, above all, to be silent upon the subject, lest he should be supplanted, and lose the prize. In vain did his auditor disclaim, much more distinctly than he had hitherto done, all intention of seeking the lady's hand. His Lordship either refused to listen to him,

or, in a bantering strain, affected to disbelieve his protestations. "See how attentive I have been to your interests," he exclaimed, taking a paper from his pocket-" I have procured a carte blanche from your commanding officer, allowing you to come to London every day, so that you will be enabled to prosecute your addresses to a quick and successful issue."

"I feel infinitely obliged, but I can assure your Lordship

"Lose no time, lose no time," interposed the Peer" it is the only way in which your fortune can be made. It is my wish that this matter should be quickly accomplished. Upon this, indeed, my favour entirely depends, and recollect, Captain Colyton, that the King's favour depends upon mine.”—After this speech, which was uttered in a whisper, he thrust the paper into Walter's hand, and declaring that he had not a moment to lose, hurried off, and disappeared in the crowd.

CHAPTER VI.

Sure she has a garrison of devils in her tongue, she uttereth such balls of wild fire. She has so nettled the King that all the doctors in the country will scarce cure him.

PHILASTER.

SEEING nothing more of Seagrave, Walter withdrew from the Court, not a little gratified by his colloquy with the monarch, but equally embarrassed by the few parting words he had exchanged with Lord Sunderland, which had produced a sharp mental contest between pride and prudence. The implied menace of the minister's speech, now that he had time to reflect upon it, fired him with indignation, making him regret that he had not in the first instance

been more resolute and explicit, so as to have saved himself from a dictatorial demeanour and language, which he could hardly help considering an insult. His Lordship had acquired no right to prescribe his course of action, even in the most insignificant particular, still less in such an all-important step as the choice of a wife; it was due to Mrs. Audley, as well as to himself and the Peer, that his intentions should be placed beyond all possibility of doubt; and since the latter refused to listen to his oral disclamations, he resolved to write him a letter, declaring, that as he had no present views of marriage, he should decline the honour of repeating his visit to Mrs. Audley, and therefore returned the leave of absence from camp that had been procured for him. Why the noble Secretary should so wilfully and pertinaciously misapprehend him, he could not surmise; but whatever were his motives for such inexplicable conduct, it was high time to leave him no excuse for continuing it.

Thus far the arguments of pride were unan