Mr. Fairfield would lend his faith, or in which he would take a part. Fanny is only gone in an angry pet to Dublin; in another month or two, when her annuity becomes due, if I do not hear from her, I must make some inquiry; for though, like other proud people, she scorned all obligation, I shall not suffer her to want any comfort in consequence."

66

The cold selfish policy of a sordid world, sir Richard," answered Plunket, "has left the poor unfavoured Fanny (though perhaps the most disinterested being in existence, and that she really presents to all those whom she regards a warm heart overflowing with pure affection) few friends; and can you, sir, who should be of those few her most steadfast friend, in her greatest need desert her? Forbid it," he continued, with energy, and raising his hands and eyes in fervent ejaculation; "forbid it, every kind feeling of humanity which binds man to his fellow-creature! forbid it, every noble principle of honour

and

and generosity, which exacts from the great succour for the little, and from the patron protection for his dependants!"

"Fanny," observed the baronet," though a good-natured creature, is a hot-headed, foolish woman; yet you know, Charles, I would not see an injury done her."

"On this occasion, sir," resumed Plunket coldly, "you owe it to the vindication of your own name, which has been assumed for the vile purpose of deceiving an innocent woman, to have this affair investigated."

"What am I to do?" inquired the goodnatured knight, who began to feel an awakening interest about Fanny; " tell me, my good fellow, how I am to act, and I will do as you would have me."

Charles, a good deal pleased to have succeeded thus far, was about to recapitulate in full detail the circumstances which led to Fanny's sudden disappearance, in order to awaken in the baronet's mind by progressive degrees those suspicions (which

he would unhesitatingly repel, if presented in a direct attack) of his lady being the principal actress in this business, when Kitty Hobbs, bursting open without ceremony the door of the apartment, exclaimed, in a whining tone-" My lady, my poor lady! sir Richard, come instantly to her assistance. There she is dying, thrown into a fit, that will certainly kill her, by Mr. Plunket's ungentlemanly treatment."

"What is the meaning of this, sir?" demanded the baronet, rising angrily, and hobbling in great haste out of the apart

ment.

Kitty Hobbs, wringing her hands, and with doleful cries striving to force out a tear, skipped before, and Plunket in ́utter amazement followed.

On their entrance into the parlour, lady Courteney, quite distorted by angry passions, and in strong hysteric affections, appeared, as she reclined between two servants who supported her in their arms, to work violently. Kitty, taking a hand,

addressed

addressed to her lady's inattentive ear a mingled jargon of complaint and consolation; sir Richard, pressing between his the other hand, attempted with words of kindest sympathy to awaken his dear wife's recollection; and Plunket, with a look that expressed at once contemptuous incredulity and disappointed regret, stood before the apparent sufferer, an idle, though not indifferent, spectator.

After repeated convulsive emotions, the lady's agitations appeared to subside, and she sunk into a calm and profound stillness; but in this tranquil state she opened her eyes on Plunket, when, shuddering as it would seem with horror at the sight of so repulsive an object, who struck instantaneously on some discordant nerve, she shrieked violently; and forcibly withdrawing her hands, with which she covered her eyes, worked with a receding motion against the servants, who now only with great difficulty sustained her struggling frame.

"Are you come again, vile man, to revile-to insult me?" screamed lady Courteney.

The baronet motioned Plunket away with his hand angrily, who, in the act of retiring, hesitated a moment, as if anxious to vindicate himself, when lady Courteney, catching with a convulsive grasp her hus band's arm, exclaimed, in a voice that ap peared tremulous through terror-" Will you not protect me, dear sir Richardwill you not interpose-to-to save mefrom the sight of a malignant wretchwho comes here to murder my repose for ever ?"

The baronet, turning on Plunket a look of anger and indignation, bade him instantly quit his sight, and begone from the castle for ever; on which our hero, bowing respectfully, with calm and modest dignity, replied in these terms-" Though conscious, sir Richard, I deserve not this angry dismission from your presence, yet willing to admit the perfect submission I

owe