his Mary caressed and respected by all who approached her; but as yet he was ignorant of the near relationship in which she stood to her present protectors. William Frazer had long ranged about the rooms before he discovered Charles, who was dancing with Miss Riversdale, and who now approached to pay his compliments to Mary; he was introduced by her to the marchioness of Devereux and her son, and lord Maynard, from whom he received a pressing invitation to breakfast with his brother and William in Grosvenor-square. Overpowered by their various feelings, the marchioness and her party retired at an early hour from the festive scene. In the solitude of her chamber, Mary recalled the events of the evening. When Bouverie first entered the dressing-room of lady Riversdale, the joy of beholding him for a time drove every other idea from her memory; but the recollection of his mother's illiberal suspicions IN suspicions flashing on her mind, she withdrew from his embrace, gravely saying-" Since last we parted, Frazer, an unfortunate occurrence has rendered me an alien to my early friends. My heart tells me I have been judged with undeserved severity; but however great may be my sufferings, no consideration shall induce me to renew an intercourse with those who have misjudged and cruelly treated me in my days of adversity. Have you seen your mother since your landing, Bouverie ?" "I have," he replied, replied, "and come with full powers to vindicate her from every blame." "You have then undertaken a difficult-I may say an impossible task," Mary rejoined, with a sigh; "but this is no time for explanation. Call on me tomorrow at Grosvenor-square," putting into his hand a card of lord Maynard's, "when you shall yourself be the judge betwixt us." "Suffer "Suffer me first to whisper in your ear," he said, playfully snatching a kiss from her ruby lips, "that the letter which gave you so much offence was never written by my mother. The one she transmitted, inclosing the draft you returned, was of a very different tenor, as you shall shortly be convinced; and no one, believe me, of your friends, has suffered more from your desertion than this inestimable woman, who has a mind fully capable of appreciating your va lue." CHAP. CHAPTER XII. Joy is in every face, without a cloud. DRYDEN. I've seen the morning rise wi" fairest light, The bridegroom may be blithe, the bride may smile, THE following morning the three young men were punctual to their engagement in Grosvenor-square. They were received by the marchioness and her uncle, lord Maynard, with that winning courtesy for which they were so much distinguished. Bouverie's eyes, however, wandered to the door, in search of her who was never absent from his thoughts, when a slight tap on one of of the windows looking into a small conservatory drew his attention, and he beheld Mary, flushed with health and exercise, waiting to be admitted. Springing forward, he opened the window, and, pressing her extended hand, led her to the breakfast-table. "Where have you been this morning, my little fugitive?" said lord Maynard, saluting her cheek; "I have been vainly searching for this hour all over the house and garden." "I went with Ormond," she replied, "to swim Cæsar in the Serpentine River, and we hastened home with the greatest speed, lest we had been behind our visitors." The marquis now bounced into the room, followed by his favourite, and after exchanging the morning salutation. with the visitors, he said to the marchioness" Do you know, mamma, that sister Mary outstripped me in a VOL. IV. L race |