of feverish rapture; and then complimenting her on the elegance of her dress, led her to a couch, and placed himself by her side.

The struggle between love and duty had been long and severe in the mind of sir Theodosius Beaumont, and it is more than probable that the latter would have finally triumphed, but for the capricious and childish folly of Henrietta herself.

Living in the constant contemplation of the numerous charms and virtues of the highly-gifted Mary, he at first began, almost unconsciously, to draw conclusions unfavourable to his giddy wife. These were daily strengthened by the rash petulance she had of late constantly displayed; and laying aside all restraint, his passion soon overleapt the boundaries of honour and discretion.

The cool contempt with which his declaration of unbounded love was received by the virtuous orphan, stung his proud soul to agony; but so far from in

ducing him to relinquish this guilty pursuit, it, on the contrary, only stimu lated him to greater perseverance.

The appearance of his young and lovely wife, smiling upon him with love and confidence, shot a pang through his soul, and once more he resolved to live for her alone, when the door opened, and Mrs. Lessington made her appearance. Running up to the poor deceived. victim of her machinations, she embraced her with all the appearance of the most unbounded friendship, declared that she looked divine, and told her that she had hurried to town on purpose to congratulate her on her birthday." I am about to rent a pleasant villa on the banks of the Thames, where you must come and rusticate with me for a few weeks," continued this wily serpent, " and then we will make a party to Brighton or somewhere for the next five months, since London is fast becoming a solitude."

"You

"You forget, my dear Lessington," said the credulous Henrietta, with something like a sigh, "that to-morrow we depart for Gloucestershire, and thence to Scotland for the remainder of the autumn, so that a long interval must elapse before we again enjoy the pleasure of each other's society. But why," she continued, after a pause, " as you talk of rusticating for a short time, cannot the term of your banishment from the metropolis be spent in —. Do, my good Lessington, consent to relieve a dull family-party by your charming presence. Miss Beaumont is in town, but having some pecuniary concerns to settle, will not be able to join us in less than a month; therefore I can afford you a corner in the carriage."

With much affected hesitation, but real joy, this very best of friends accepted the invitation of the lovely being whose peace she meditated to destroy,

and.

and promised to be ready to set off by eleven o'clock the following morning.

The baronet remained a passive listener to this compact; a time was when he would have reprobated such a companion for the artless Henrietta; but indifference had succeeded to the fervour of passion, and instead of guarding her from the contamination of this unprineipled woman, he would rather have rejoiced to find in her errors an excuse for his own dereliction from rectitude.

Miss Beaumont and Mary now entered the room. Mrs. Lessington saluted the former with an ease and grace she well knew how to assume, while she held out her hand to the latter with the cordiality of an old acquaintance, telling her that she had agreed to become her travelling companion on the morrow. This intelligence, which would formerly have been regarded by this amiable girl with dismay, was now rather a source of consolation, since her

presence,

presence, she conceived, would enable her more effectually to avoid meeting sir Theodosius alone. Miss Beaumont knew the character of Mrs. Lessington, and she severely blamed her brother for introducing her into his house; still, with her characteristic benevolence, she determined to expedite her business in London, and hurry down to Gloucestershire, in order to shield by her presence her giddy sister-in-law from the baneful arts of her visitor.

Mary declined joining the dancers, under the plea of indisposition, and seated herself with Miss Beaumont in a recess, where they were engaged in friendly chat, when the elegant form of Henrietta struck their eyes as she was flying through the dance.

Never had she appeared more lovely; the graceful fall of her white drapery, and the unadorned braids of her silken hair, displayed her face and form to the greatest advantage, while exercise had heightened