Have they no other relations-no man of business to whom you could apply?" Julian explained that Mr. Disney of Berner's Street, Captain Cecil's solicitor and agent, had decisively refused him any information on the subject, adding, moreover, that he should conceive he was not fulfilling the wishes of his client, if he did not at once apprize the family of any endeavor to discover their retreat, in order that they might take further measures for concealment. Julian also informed the Duke, that the venerable mother of Captain Cecil was still living, and had been applied to on the occasion; but she at once declared her ignorance on the subject, telling them that all her communications, as well to her son, as to his family, passed through the hands of Mr. Disney. "This is a very perfect system of incognito, and more precise than the occasion seems to necessitate," the Duke said with some surprise; and then added with an expression of anxiety, "Does the dear Mrs. Cecil still reside in that beautiful cottage on the borders of Riversdale forest ?" Julian replied in the affirmative, wondering much at the knowledge evinced by the Duke of his grandmother's abode, and ignorant, that from her desire of ministering to the distresses of her son, the exemplary mother had given up the residence which for so many years had formed her happy home, and had removed to one immediately contiguous, but considerably inferior in size and adornments to that which she had left. The Duke remained some moments in serious and abstracted thought; at last arousing himself from his reflections, he said, "Mr. Sinclair, you will think that I am disposed to make most impertinent questions this evening, and yet your candor is rather to blame in the encouragement it offers me. But there is one thing I wish to ask, and which the passionate interest you evince in the welfare of Miss Cecil, rather disposes me to doubt. Are you engaged to your cousin the Lady de Cressy ?" "Oh! do not distract me by such a surmise," Julian exclaimed impatiently. "It is true that my mother, from the force of wishing, actually believes that our union will take place: but it can never be. Neither Blanche nor I have the slightest inclination to the alliance, even were not our affections differently placed. Neither are our hearts quite mercenary enough to sacrifice their deepest feelings to worldly considerations." "I believe you from my heart," the Duke said warmly, as rising from the table, they proceeded to quit the dining-room; " and I intreat you to consider me in the light of an interested friend, as well for your own sake as for those whose cause our conversation has shown me you espouse so earnestly." Julian, delighted and amazed, felt as if he was under the delusion of a dream. It was one however which left him soothed and comforted, for knowing the great influence which the Duke of Strathhaven might exercise over his mother's mind, he augured the happiest results from his interference in his behalf. He did not however accompany the Duke to the drawing-room. A sense of committed weakness led him to doubt himself, and dread at once the beauty of Lady Florence, and the reproaches implied rather than spoken, with which he guessed he should be assailed by one who had some reason to accuse him of inconsistency. Besides this, another motive actuated him. Whilst in conversation with the Duke, the thought had occurred to him that they had too lightly given credence to the elder Mrs. Čecil's words that she was in ignorance of the abode of her son's family. Was this natural, when there could be no reason for the concealment as far as regarded herself? Was it not more likely that the unfortunate Cecils had sought an asylum with her? and although Blanche was in the constant habit of communication with her grandmother, the silence with regard to those who wished concealment was of course the system she would pursue. The idea once formed, a tumult of hope and anxiety rose within the bosom of Julian. He resolved immediately to proceed to Riversdale, in the fond expectation of there meeting those so dear to him. He had a twofold motive in wishing to depart without any delay; the ardent hope which the Duke's assumption of Mrs. Cecil's knowledge of her relation's residence had led him to form, and the desire of escaping the expostulations of Lady Clairville, who he judged would be rather vehement on the occasion. He did not acknowledge to himself that he was also anxious to avoid another interview with the too dangerous Florence; but retiring at once to his study he gave orders for his traveling carriage to be got in readiness, determining to proceed a stage on his journey that night. CHAPTER XVIII. "A woman moved is like a fountain troubled, BLANCHE looked eagerly for her cousin when the gentlemen entered the music saloon on quitting the diningroom, as the agitation and abstraction of his manner during dinner had made her feel anxious about him. She watched in vain, and though some time elapsed, still no Julian appeared. She passed into the drawingroom, where she heard Lady Clairville ask several times for him, and beheld Lady Florence, with a flushed cheek and agitated glances, evidently watching for his appearance, although she affected to be listening with complacence to the flattering speeches of Lord John Hale, who, having confided to Colonel Fitz-Irby his opinion, that Blanche de Cressy was decidedly in love with the Duke of Strathhaven, was now what he called "backing out" of the imputation of having paid her attentions. The continued absence of Julian at length rendered Blanche so nervous and uncomfortable, that she was resolved to seek him in his study, where she knew he sometimes hid himself when wearied with the party in the drawing-room. At the door of the music saloon, however, she was met by a servant, who with rather an air of mystery put a note into her hand. She hastily read these words. "Come to my study, dear Blanche. I wish to have a few moments conversation with you before I leave Oakwood. The carriage is waiting for me." Blanche lost not a moment in obeying the summons, and in a few seconds had joined her cousin. He immediately accounted for this hasty departure by describing the impression he had received, of the possibility of finding the Cecils at Riversdale. Blanche was not surprised at his deciding to leave Oakwood, as she had perceived his intentions rather pointed that way in the morning; but she could not see the necessity of so hurried a departure. However, he answered her objections by exclaiming rather impatiently, , "Blanche, I can bear this artificial existence no longer, where one's better feelings are hid-are smothered by the tyrannous exactions of one imperious individual. I must go. Besides, if I remain here, I subject myself to the coquetry of Lady Florence; and much as I detest myself for it, still I confess I confess with shame -that, while under the influence of her extraordinary beauty-her excessive fascination of manner, she gains a dominion over my better nature which, as you said this morning, is a sin against my true and real affections." Blanche was convinced by his reasons, and rejoiced that he had thus prudently made his determinations; but still she said "My dear Julian, do you forget the Duke? How can you thus abruptly leave him ?” "It is on this subject I wished to speak to you," he replied. "I have written to him and I think he will forgive the slight, in consideration of my motives." Julian then repeated the whole of the conversation that had passed between himself and the Duke; and while Blanche listened with much surprise to his ac count of the extreme interest his Grace had evinced for the Cecil family, there was a beating at her heart, a sanguine glow of hope, which seemed to tell her that she too might look to him as a friend to her wishes regarding those beloved cousins. "And now, dear Blanche, you had better return to |