credit on the speaker as a gentleman; but it is language, madam, you will allow, not inappropriate to a gamester, and in that class I find we have female as well as male blacklegs. And now permit me also, for your better information, to tell you, Mrs. Blandford's not appearing in public for the last few days was caused by the embarrassment into which a false friend had betrayed her, who first instructed the too-confiding lady in the science of deep play, and then, by her own superior knowledge in the mysteries of gaming, stripped her. Each of the ladies have, however, been mutually benefited in the event: Mrs. Oldenrig, in gaining a considerable sum of money, of which she had perhaps need; Mrs. Blandford, in developing the character of a pretended friend."

The lady, having overcome her first confusion, thanked Plunket for his information, and declared, in a most accommodating tone, it was monstrous shocking

in Mrs. Oldenrig to propagate reports so injurious; but, for her own part, she would take good care, wherever she heard such subject introduced, to contradict, on the authority of captain Plunket, these slanderous assertions.

Charles soon after joined captain Granby, but the pleasure of the evening destroyed by this little incident, he returned to his lodgings as soon as the piece ended.

Captain Plunket ruminated with poignant chagrin on the unpleasant consequence of this injurious report to Mrs. Blandford; and though, on a most rigorous examination of his own conduct, he saw nothing wherewith to reproach himself, yet he felt on the result a most disagreeable sensation. So far from braving public opinion, or being, with the heroes of the present day, desirous to establish his credit on the destruction of any woman's fair fame, Charles was inexpressibly shocked to think his attentions to Mrs. Blandford, persevered in for her safety and

and protection, should by malevolent tongues be imputed to a dishonourable purpose; and deeply afflicted at proving to her, in the slightest degree, the cause of obloquy or suspicion, he felt willing, for the preservation of her credit, to relinquish her society, and forego, in order to silence unjust censure, the charm of her conversation: yet, on the other hand, requiring, from the nature of her unprotected state, an attention vigilant and fraternal, how could he, moved at the insinuations of one who was unquestionably her enemy, desert a charge so important?

Thus debating between his dread of the dangers to which Mrs. Blandford stood exposed, and his anxiety for preserving her name uncensured, the night was consumed in painful deliberation, and morning surprised him still restless and unhappy.

Again, as usual, Plunket directed his steps towards Mrs. Blandford's hotel; but instead of protracting his visit there to its accustomed

accustomed length, he stopped only to inquire after her health, and to recommend that she would go abroad among her acquaintance, as she was wont to do, and occasionally frequent public places; as such entire seclusion at once, in one who had appeared so much abroad, would not fail to produce inquiries as to the cause, and might supply the malevolent with an excuse for ill-natured observations.

Mrs. Blandford, moved at this judicious remark, prepared for a round of visits, as soon as Plunket had departed; when on examining her visiting list, she now perceived, that if there were several of her acquaintance to whom she appeared indebted, there were also others by whom, though indebted to herself, she had been, for the last six days, quite neglected. She wondered at such neglect, but, without conjecture as to the cause, hurried off, determined, if she encountered any of these at the house of a common acquaintance," to demand an explanation. No opportu

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nity,

nity, however, presented itself of seeking this explanation, since, at every house where she called, the family were said to be from home, or, in other terms, she was denied admission. Still undeceived as to the real cause of such repeated denials, for in the innocent mind dwells no suspicion, Mrs. Blandford was only surprised how it so happened that all her acquaintances should, at the same time, be absent.

In the evening she attended the rout of an English lady of high rank, then resident at Paris; but coldly received, every eye glanced on her with scorn, or was haughtily averted. Geraldine felt hurt at the mortifying contempt with which she was regarded, and at which she could with difficulty restrain her tears; the gallant attention of the gentlemen alone, by whom she was as much admired as ever, prevented their gushing forth, and enabled her to rally with success her timorous and half-subdued spirits.

Mrs. Oldenrig approached near where

she