A spirit of exclusiveness among the neighbouring gentlemen discouraged him from taking an active part in those duties which belong to every man of property; while their coldness naturally increasing the reserve of his manner, gave them the idea that he was proud and overbearing, thus widening the distance between them. He frequently perceived more clearly than they what ought to be done; but he was too proud to urge his opinion on those who were not inclined to listen to him. However indignant he had felt at the fears of Constance, and her want of confidence in his steadiness, he saw, when his first emotions had subsided, and he had reflected on the matter, that she judged rightly; and, convinced that some change was essential, he decided, perhaps not unwisely, as a general peace precluded his resuming his professional duties, on visiting a country completely new to him, and in every respect peculiar. Constance saw that Mortimer's decision was made, and she acquiesced without a murmur, though certainly a visit · to America was, in her mind, the least agreeable plan he could have devised,-America, interesting to the philosopher or the naturalist, but not as attractive to her accomplished mind as any part of Europe, where every spot is connected with history, or embellished by the arts, "Mighty climes, Where Fame told tales of virtues and of crimes, Where Wisdom taught, and Valour woke to strife, But these were minor considerations when compared with the total separation from her parents-and she was the cause ! She now regretted her candour, her fears, her impatience, which would involve all in grief. Then would she revolve in her mind all that had passed; again, balance indolent caution with principle; and again, she was convinced that she was right. At least I was not precipitate, thought she; it is past recall, and self-doubting may only make things worse; I will not waver; I thought I was acting rightly; I forced myself to the effort. Let me now dispose myself to restore my husband's cheerfulness, to win back his wandering affection. These resolutions were mixed with many a sad and gloomy thought, which banished all sleep during the succeeding night, and her heavy languid eyes seemed to contradict her efforts to be cheerful at the breakfast-table-vain efforts!-for Mortimer spoke not; wrapt in impenetrable gloom, he scarcely touched his breakfast, scarcely noticed the little Noel, who had endeavoured by his playful antics to attract a smile. The silent meal was interrupted by the arrival of the post-bag; and never was a well-filled letter-bag more welcome to Constance than at that moment, when she saw that Mortimer was brooding on something intensely painful. "A letter from my mother to announce her return from France," said Mortimer. "O how glad I am!" exclaimed Constance. "It is rather mal-à-propos, however," said Mortimer; "she will, I fear, delay the execution of my plans, for she requires my attendance immediately in London, where she has business to transact." "But I hope she is well?” Yes, quite well." He threw the letter, with evident dissatisfaction, to his wife. It expressed Mrs Mortimer's anxiety to be once more with her happy son and daughter, and intention, if they were to be at home, to spend the summer with them. A faint hope of change or delay brightened the countenance of Constance. Mortimer saw it. No," said he, "do not think of it; my resolution is fixed; my preparations shall be made directly; before summer is over we shall bid adieu to Pool Basset." 66 "And your mother-my dear mother, as I may truly call Mrs Mortimer 66 'My mother must bear my loss as she did before; I could not-no, not for worlds would I expose myself to my mother's lectures now! " The momentary joy Constance had felt was again depressed; and while she mechanically opened her letters, she could think only of the blow that was preparing for poor Mrs Mortimer. Ferdinand sat without speaking for a length of time; then, rousing himself as if by an effort, he said at last, "I had intended to have gone this morning to inform the Normans of my intentions, but my mother's letter will prevent me. And, really, it would be difficult to explain the affair to them." Her enthusiastic love of knowledge, which the consciousness of her own abilities led her sometimes, perhaps, to display too much; and her love of admiration, combined together, gave an irresistible charm to her manner. Mortimer, who, when Constance first invited the Normans to Pool Basset, considered them a bore, very soon assumed the office of Julia's preceptor; and, as nothing was beyond the scope of her ambition, so were their lessons various,-too often ending in moral and metaphysical disquisitions, which may have enlarged Julia's ideas, but certainly did not tend to strengthen her judgment, accompanied, as they were, by that sort of ardent praise which too quickly becomes a stimulus that the over-excited mind cannot forego. The pleasure of exercising the intellectual powers of this young creature, which in moderation had been laudable, became at length the daily object and occupation of Mortimer. Admiration was mutually given and received; and the excitement became so necessary that he felt uncomfortable without it. It was a kind of passion. The effect was unfavourable to Mortimer's happiness, and it imperceptibly worked a sort of separation in the pursuits and small interests of Constance and her husband. Formerly they had been associated in everything; but now Mortimer seldom had leisure to ride, or walk, or read with his wife. She was surprised, but being slow to take offence or seek for cause of displeasure, she had resolved to wait patiently that she might understand him; to hope the best-at all events, never to reproach him. The remarks which were freely made on Mortimer and his pupil by the neighbours, and particularly by the peasantry on the colonel and the strange young lady, at length came round to Constance, and she resolved to overcome her repugnance to interfere in such delicate circumstances. She saw with horror that Julia, vain and inexperienced, was on the brink of a precipice. The fairest character-principles apparently steady-have frequently been lost in the gulf of platonic sentiment; and while Julia's mother was blind to her imprudence-ought Constance to yield like a coward to the fear of offending, and make no effort to save her husband and her friend from unhappiness from error ! These thoughts-these painful doubts-continually returned to her mind. The struggle was most harassing. She might save him from slander; she might restore Julia to common sense; awaken them as it were from a dream; but what was to be the consequence to herself? She felt that she must be accused of jealousy, and that a few words might for ever estrange her husband's heart. On the reverse of this horrible anticipation, which unceasingly oppressed her, was to be considered the possible effect of her timidity-of her forbearing silence; of yielding to delicacy to fear. How deep the misery that might be the result! She knew that already Julia was injured-that already had fallen upon her the animadversions of ignorant observers; while her own apparent acquiescence might increase Julia's vanity—that rock on which human nature so often strikes-a rock that sometimes destroys stronger and more experienced minds than that of Julia Norman. Constance was convinced of her duty as a wife and as a friend; but she feared the influence of personal feelings on her judgment. She hesitated, resolved, dreaded to give pain -a wound never to be healed-to disgust her husband, and give the death-blow to his affection; yet she dreaded still more to shrink from duty. She prayed continually for assistance, for strength from above. She prayed for humility, and, above all, for the influence of that heavenly quality, true charity, to control her feelings and influence her decision. Mortimer's unexpected notice of her paleness led to the explanation which, doubtful of herself, she would probably have yet delayed. However impatient of control, however wounded by his wife's remonstrance, Ferdinand was not insensible to the courage, or perhaps the justice, of her observations, conscious as he was that something begins to be wrong when we feel unwilling to examine into the sentiments which actuate us. Mortimer's active mind, unsuited to the calm of country life, though it had formerly been the object of his wishes, required various pursuit, and excitement. He had been engaged in active military life-very different from the serenity he enjoyed at Pool Basset-and the wish for some new interest had led, without guile or intentional error, to the attractive employment of developing Julia's talents; a pleasure which had imperceptibly increased, till he had become her guide and confidant. A spirit of exclusiveness among the neighbouring gentlemen discouraged him from taking an active part in those duties which belong to every man of property; while their coldness naturally increasing the reserve of his manner, gave them the idea that he was proud and overbearing, thus widening the distance between them. He frequently perceived more clearly than they what ought to be done; but he was too proud to urge his opinion on those who were not inclined to listen to him. However indignant he had felt at the fears of Constance, and her want of confidence in his steadiness, he saw, when his first emotions had subsided, and he had reflected on the matter, that she judged rightly; and, convinced that some change was essential, he decided, perhaps not unwisely, as a general peace precluded his resuming his professional duties, on visiting a country completely new to him, and in every respect peculiar. Constance saw that Mortimer's decision was made, and she acquiesced without a murmur, though certainly a visit. to America was, in her mind, the least agreeable plan he could have devised,-America, interesting to the philosopher or the naturalist, but not as attractive to her accomplished mind as any part of Europe, where every spot is connected with history, or embellished by the arts,— "Mighty climes, Where Fame told tales of virtues and of crimes, But these were minor considerations when compared with the total separation from her parents-and she was the cause! She now regretted her candour, her fears, her impatience, which would involve all in grief. Then would she revolve in her mind all that had passed; again, balance indolent caution with principle; and again, she was convinced that she was right. At least I was not precipitate, thought she; it is past recall, and self-doubting may only make things worse; I will not waver; I thought I was acting rightly; I forced myself to the effort. Let me now dispose myself to restore my husband's cheerfulness, to win back his wandering affection. These resolutions were mixed with many a sad and gloomy thought, which banished all sleep during the succeeding night, |