unceremoniously drawn out a carte du pays, that merely required a line in answer to say that Miss Aylmer would be happy to see them. Two or three days, at most, would be the extent they would require of her hospitality. Frank, it seemed, had managed the business himself, had corresponded with Fanny ever since his departure from Haveringham; and though Sir Francis debated and descanted on the ninny the boy had made himself, and hinted he certainly had had better plans for him; yet as the affair had gone so far, the only thing left to be done, was to see them properly married. And it was for this, that Lady Oglander, Frank, and himself, were about to trespass on her hospitality.

It was quite unexpected to Rosalind, this information. She knew little of the Chadwicks, and it mattered less to her, whom Frank had selected. But she was sorry, just at the present moment, her "solitary bower" should

be intruded on. It was essential to inform her guardian of her engagement with Mr. Waldegrave; but as they had settled their marriage should be quite private, on the score of his sister's illness, she had intended only to have done so just in time to have gone through the ceremony of gaining his consent, and to have requested the assistance of the lawyers.

Nothing could, perhaps, have been more mal àpropos than this intrusion; but with the usual suavity of her manners, her only care was, not to put them off, but how to reconcile Mr. Waldegrave to it. And, above all, in what words, real words, hearing all the time the sound of her own voice, for it must now come to that, she should explain to Sir Francis the change that was about so soon to take place in her situation.

She wished Lady Oglander had been a person with whom she could have been confidential. It would have been some relief to have told it first to her, and then to have left it in

VOL. III.

E

her management to break it gently to her husband. But though Lady Oglander was, what is in good-nature termed, “all all very well in her way," yet her way was so unsatisfactory and under-bred, that while Rosalind had hitherto refrained from passing an opinion upon her, she was now obliged to confess in rejecting this modified arrangement, that although she was most happy to pay her any attention, as Sir Francis Oglander's wife, she was too plebeian in her words and manners to justify her in seeking to make her a confidant. It was in truth a crisis to try a man's soul. For awhile all was uncertainty and consternation; all were seen fluttering about like birds in an eclipse or a thunderstorm; and Rosalind was at length obliged to leave it to Mr. Waldegrave to determine what course it were best to take in the matter.

But he liked nothing, but being near her; listening to the sounds of her sweet voice, free

from interruption; and though it was quarrelling with her own popularity, yet she was almost provoked to see how little power he used towards helping her out of a snare that had so unexpectedly fallen upon her.

Day

Then she would propose to him to leave her for a time, to pay the visit, that must be paid, to Winston Hall, preparatory to their passing there the first few weeks of their marriage. But there was now in him a preponderating feeling, that put all others aside; vain was it to say he would do anything she wished him to do. He did nothing. after day his carriage was seen standing, ready to be packed, in the court, and his servant looking busy in anticipation of orders; but the only order was, "Wait till to-morrow;" and to-morrow, and to-morrow, still came and, at length, came with it the rattle of the carriages of Sir Francis Oglander and suite, up to the doors of the castle.

CHAPTER V.

It was further appointed by Faustus, that the devil should usually attend him in the habit of a cordelier; with a pleasing countenance, and an insinuating demeanour. Faustus.-Lives of the Necromancers.

Angels and ministers of grace defend us!

Be thou a spirit of health, or goblin damn'd,

Bring with thee airs from heaven, or blasts from hell,

Thou comest in such a questionable shape,

That I will speak to thee.

Hamlet.

THE less words the rest of my tale is told in the better. What had appeared an immense difficulty, at a distance, was soon arranged with the enemy upon them, and it was