my head?" Ja little feminine diplomacy, in which she "A little so." was a proficient, she succeeded in con"Listen and attend, then; ever since firming the impression her charms had I have been a denizen of this most stupid originated. and after a few months courtvillage of Maplehurst, now some four ship found herself greatly to her heart's weeks, wheresoever I have been, with content, standing at the altar of St. George whomsoever I converse, one only thome Hanover square. swearing allegiance to do I hear discussed-the Curate of Ma-a handsome young man, of 20,000l. a plehurst. Gentle and simple, rich and year-a Viscount, and a Legislator to poor, all combine in sounding the praises boot. of Richard Temple, for so the man is Her husband had been lately appointed called." Ambassador from our Court to Munich, "What for? his eloquence, picty, or and as five years of matrimony had what?" brought down the temperature of her af"He has both these excellencies' I be- fection (never rising very high for any lieve, but of course they would not alone one but herself) almost to zero, she dehave roused the spirit of curiosity in me; clined accompanying him, advancing, as no dear, it is the report of his miraculous a plea to be left behind, the delicate state beauty that interests me. They say he is of health of their heir and only child; the Hercules and Antinous blended into but secretly thinking that a sojourn of a tew months in this country, without the "Oh, then, you are going to church to surveillance of a husband, would be vastsketch him." ly agreeable, as well as new. Lord TorNo; but I intend to make him come rington yielded to her request, but solely and sketch me for I hear, amongst his on condition of her making their countryother multiplied perfections, that he is an seat, Maplehurst Hall her place of resiadmirable amateur artist. The fact is, I dence during their temporary separation must have an attache of some sort, and and the promise that she would follow him as the regiment at Laighton contains no- as soon as the boy was pronounced strong thing but the plainest and unloveable set enough to encounter the fatigue of a long of officers in his Majesty's service, and as journey. Lord Torrington had now been my good husband chooses to bury me gone a month, and she was beginning to here whilst he is coquetting at Munich, I repent, from the dullness of the country, must get up an interest to beguile the that she had not been his compagnon du tristeness of my exile. I must either send voyage, when our tale opens.

one."

for Charles Herbert hither from London Her disposition may be inferred from or flirt with the curate here, the flippancy of her conversation with her "But how do you know he will flirt sister, who resembled her in the same total with you? Perhaps you may fail in cap-want of serious principle. Their mother tivating him." dying in their infancy, their education, "Did I ever fail?" and she turned her had been confined to a French governess large oriental looking eyes full on her sis- who when the period of tuition was comter. Jane said nothing but bowed assent-pleted, left them, rich in every varied acingly, with a sly smile, in which archness complishmedt. But in character, vain and malice had their share. and cold-heartless and selfish; Lady

The attendent entered, and while Lady Torrington was more especially so, but Tourington is engaged in making her toi- possessing an unusual degree of tact, she lette for church and conquest, it may be could seem the reverse of these, and asas well to enlighten the leader as to her sume the impersonation of all earthly exposition and disposition. cellence. Her beauty few called in quesLady Clara Torrington was the young. tion; and it was of remarkable character. est daughter of an English Baronet, of From her mother (an Andalusian) she limited fortune, but ancient pedigree. inherited a skin which, for its exceeding At an assize ball her beauty attracted clearness, would have been too dark for the notice of the young Lord Torrington, lovelines to an English eye! as it was, it the County Member. By the exercise of only served to contrast with the rich crim VOL, III, No. 11—3

son which dyed her cheek. Her eyes we are adverting to, he was engaged in were magnificent! soft, passionate, volup-advocating the cause of charity and so tuous, and capable of expressing every powerfully did he appeal to the sympaemotion which sways the human heart. thies of his hearers, that ere he had conHer form some objected to, as being ra-cluded his discourse, overcome by her ther to fully and luxuriantly developed teelings Lady Torrington was led to the for her height, which was rather under vestry in a fainting state. But it may be the middle size, but as her waist, hands, as well to give her own account of the and feet, were fashioned in perfect sym-events of the morning. metry, it scarcely seemed a disadvan tage.

*

Arrived at home, she entered the drawing room, where her sister was still engaged in writing and flinging herself on ad ottoman, burst into perhaps the loudest laugh that had ever escaped her aristocratic lips.

"Jane, do put down that horrid pen, and attend to me-I have had a fainting fit."

"My dear Clara!,'

It was a bright sunshiny morning, and the Sabbath stillness was only broken by the low tinkling of the village bell of Maplehurst, summoning the inhabitants to the service of their Creator. It is not often, apart from metropolis, that so large a congregation are assembled as now thronged, even to overflowing, the humble "Nay, do not look so frightened; for aisles of Maplehurst church. The inter- truth to tell it was only a ruse. Now I est of all classes seemed alike awakened will tell you all the little history. I went by the fame of the curate, Richard Tem- to church, frightened the villagers from ple, and they crowded to hear him with their propriety by my unexpected appea an eagerness which, had been accessible rance-such bustling and fidgeting to to the influence of so contemptible a feel-get me a seat. At last I was ushered into ing as vanity, would have amply administered to it.

what is called the clergyman's pew, close to the pulpit-the very thing I wished. I had thus full leisure to look at the curate. who literally stands amongst men like a decended God. But do not think I am going to bore you with a description; I As he is the hero of our little tale some will only tell you he is the style we gip description of him may perhaps be thought sies admire that is, excessively fair. necessary. It is to be regretted that our But, remember, not a bit of effeminacy: language does not supply us with any epi- all expression, refinement, and purity. I thet descriptive of extraordinary personal instantly made up my mind as to the ab advantages in a man. We may talk of reeability of a flirtation with such a divia beautiful woman, but a beautiful man nity, and I intend to succeed. But I resounds ridiculous-yet, simply to say ally think the man is religious, and enRichard Temple was handsome, seems grossed with his duties-for, though I fix far too inconsiderate praise. He was ed my eyes, which I believe are rather much more than this. He indeed, as La- overpowering, full on him during the dy Torrington had said, blended the per- prayers he never appeared to see me. fections of the Hercules and Antinous into He preaches admirably; and somehow or other, he did so entirely excite my sensiThe whole contour of his face and form bilities that I began to cry! The heat was so faultlessly and classically fine, too was suffocating. By a little mancethat one's imagination, when looking at uvring I soon made the women in the pew him, instantly recalled those master pie-believe I was fainting; and half sobbing, ces of Grecian sculpture which seem to half lifeless I was taken to the vestry. ennoble humanity by their surpassing Was it not well managed ?" beauty. His voice full, deep, and musical

The bell ceased-the organ (for they had an organ) poured forth its rich sonorous notes, and the minister ascended the desk.

one.

Admirably, but such scenes are not to

was well calculated to give effect to the my taste."

strain of burning fervid eloquence that "Nor mine: but the end justifies the his sermons contained; on the morning means.' Of course I did not choose to re

Cover till the sermon was over. In came her boudoir when he left her presence, Temple; the glow which his own enthu-heard her detail to her sister with triumph siasm had called into his countenance (for, and ridicule every word which she thought thank goodness, otherwise he is utterly evinced the advance of his passion, heard pale), and as the sun shone on his waiv-her calculate how soon she should coning hair, and fell on his broad marble sign to broken-hearted desertion the lovbrow, I thought I had never looked on ing girl he had pmised to marry, he had any thing so glorious. In the lowest and spurned her from his thoughts and from sweetest of voices, he inquired If I had his heart with the disgust she merited. recovered? But dear, so coldly, so calm-But how could he suspect this under the edly, so much too collectedly. I think, by exterior she assumed? How imagine that wa the way, he is engaged; for he spoke in a the warm enthusiasm of her manner, subger very tender and familiar tone to a young dued by the most captivating softness, person who had proffered her assistance. which he believed, as she insinuated, only be: But that makes no difference. I will soon himself could call forth, was ready to be break that affair, if necessary. He cer-plied against any new object who excited krtainly did hand me into the carriage, but her curiosity or pleased her eye? To her a not one smile did he vouchsafe, not one he served as an occupation, an amusement, lingering look attended my departure. a something to fill up and beguile the moNow, perhaps after so discouraging a notony of a country life. To him she was commencement, other women would give an enchantress, who had made him at him up. Not so Clara Torrington. This war with himself who had disturbed the very night I shall write to tell him to call holy current of his thoughts and affechere to-morrow morning; I then intend to tions, and threatened, by her fatal power, ask him if he will give lessons in the clas- to overthrow alike principle and peace. sics to Eustace-the boy is well enough Bred in the calm seclusion of rural life, he and old enough to bear a little study now." had only left it to pursue his studies at True to her design, Lady Torrington Cambridge, where he obtained high acaddespatched her proposed billet to Richard edemic distinction; and after being orTemple, who, unsuspecting of any ulteri-dained, returned to Maplehurst, his naor design in the summons, obeyed it by tive village, to fulfil the duties of Curate. calling at Maplehurst Hall at the time ap- Beloved by the poor for his goodness, adpointed, and entered readily into Lady mired by the rich for his extraordinary Torrington's proposal of becoming, for persoual and mental endowments, he had some hours daily, the tutor to her boy. It won himself a fame so pure and so wideis not necessary that we trace step by spreading, that but for the unaffected step the progress of her influence over sweetness and simplicity of his manners, him; enough that insensibly he became his gentle bearing to all classes, it had been dazzled and encoiled by her fascination-sufficient to have aroused the envy of enough that the hour which was to bring those around him. Yet this was the man him to Maplehurst Hall, again to look at whom a heartless coquette had fixed on as her varying loveliness, again to listen to a victim to her vanity and selfishness. her delicate and seductive flattery, was anticipated with an eagerness he trembled Turn we now to a sweet low-roofed to own, enjoyed with an intensity danger-cottage, through every window of which ous to his peace. He felt that she was the either the rose or the jessamine had forced wife of another. He knew he was the an entrance-where in a simple yet tasteaffianced of an innocent girl, who loved fully furnished parlor, sat two ladies workhim with all the measureless idolatry of ing. The likeness between them declared a first and pure affection. He knew this, them mother and daughter. The younger, but the spell was on him; and though despite the air of deep dejection which each day determining to break the fetters shadowed her face, was exquisitely fair, that so unworthily enchained him, the in- with that look of unsullied purity which tention expired before it arrived at matu- interests the feelings even yet more than rity beneath a bright glance and a soft regularity of form and feature. Her age word. Could he but have followed her to was eighteen, yet she scarcely looked

*

*

that. Her eyes, filled with tears, were ted. Yet could he pronounce the mar bent over her netting, to escape the obser- riage vow while his thoughts were filled vation of her mother; but after a few min- with another's image! Still if he continutes, unable longer to control her grief, ued his attendance at the Hall, might not she flung down her work, exclaiming, pas- the passion which so fatally infatuated him sionately,assume, ere long, the dark shade of guilt? "Mother, I can bear this no longer-Had not Lady Torrington again and again I feel my heart is breaking-I must come reiterated that she loved him? Could he to an understanding with Richard Temple, meet her again, and be yet cold and inany thing is better than this torturing sus- sensible to her burning words, her enticing pense." charms; was it in man to be so? All "In truth, Mary, I think his conduct these thoughts rushed through his brain as explains itself-and if you had one feel- he approached the cottage of his pure and ing of womanly pride, you would forget gentle Mary. He came thither with the him with the indifference his behaviour intent, cost what it might, of telling her merits.. the precise state of his feelings, and offer"Ah, do not blame him, or talk to me ing subservience to her decision, whatever of pride; what has love like mine to do it might be.

with pride-I forgive him! how heartily A long interview ensued. He descri and entirely; I knew I was not worthy of bed the struggle that was shaking his soul. him; it was vanity to think a being like Mary heard him, and thick and fast the Richard Temple could love and marry me. tears fell from her eyes; but not one unI wish I was as pretty as Lady Torring- gentle or reproachful word escaped her ton, every one admires her?" lips. She loved him as only wonan can "You exasperate me, child, beyond love. She felt that, rather than he should measure with such language; is not Lady suffer a single moment's unrest, she was Torrington a married woman; and has content to number every future, hour of not Richard been engaged to you for a existence by the dark dial of despair. Sick year? He must either ratify that engage- and weary she felt at heart; but with a ment at once, or you shall quit Maplehurst cold smile playing over her features, she next week. That wicked woman shall gave him back his faith, and only prayed not have the satisfaction of seeing her, that Heaven might guide his wandering victim crawl to the grave, step by step, steps, and preserve him from the abyss to before her eyes." which he was hurrying.

"I am sure Richard would not inten- He left the cottage, and she felt that life tionally give me one hour's pain. He henceforth was for her one long and drea knows not how I love him; he never shall ry waste. The only thought whose solace know, till I am dead. Great Heaven! lessened the sum of her wretchedness was, here he is. He is coming up the garden that she had done nought to add to his -leave me, dear, dear mother-you will sufferings. But the idea that never again speak in anger to him,-let me see him should his loved voice whisper in her ear alone." the words of affection-that she was unMrs. Melville left the room as Richard loved and deserted-oh! the maddening Temple entered the cottage. It was evi- anguish in that thought was intolerable. dent from the wan paleness of his cheek She groaned aloud, and wept the burning, and the agitated expression of his usually bitter tears which the forsaken alone can serene face, that the mind was ill at rest. weep! Before the close of the day, intel In truth, the events of the last few months ligence reached her that Richard Temple had operated a fearful change in him, per- was dangerously ill. The events of the sonally and mentally. Unaccustomed morning-the war between passion and hitherto to self-reproach, he now constant-rectitude in his naturally pure and noble ly endured its goarding sting: honour bade mind-had been too much for nature to him fulfil his engagement to Mary Mel-contend with. He had scarcely arrived ville, to which he was doubly impelled by at the parsonage, after his visit to Mary; the recollection of her late father, under when symptoms of brain fever exhibited whose roof and care he had been educa-themselves, and he was now raving in de

lirious frenzy. For many weeks he lay patrorage he deserved. He is now the hovering between life and death. During incumbent of a valuable living, the idol of: his illness he was attended by Mary and his wife, and children, and his parish. her mother, with that zealous solicitude which affection only can supply.

tation with so lovely a woman.

He was

monstration of affection which had so be

HENRY FLEMING.

M. H.

She

1

And did Lady Torrington strive to mitigate the misery herself had caused? No, Not one offer of assistance, not one mesIt was in the Spring of '30 that I first sage of sympathy reached him from her. became acquainted with Mary Immediately she found herself deprived was then in the hey-day of youth, and the of his society she sent over to Leighton, occasion on which I met her, was one the nearest garrison town, ascertained that proudly set forth all the attractivethat the regiment had been changed, and ness of her beauty. At her side stood. finding that the colonel of the one now the talented and alas! too popular Henry stationed there had been an admirer of Fleming, by profession, he was a lawyer. her's before marriage, resolved to renew he was equally popular. If he was not the acquaintance. To do this was an easy profound, he was brilliantly logical and and agreeable arrangement. Colonel was delighted with a flir-irresistibly eloquent. It was on a criminal case I heard him for the first and only time plead. His client who had commither escort everywhere. And while Rich- Ited the heaviest of crimes-murder, was a ard Temple was languishing on a sick bed, man far advanced in life's vale, one whose Lady Torrington was the leader at every arm more holier and proudly had pushed gay assembly, encouraging the attention the strong steel of the revolution. During of a new admirer, making the same de- the examination of the witnesses he sat guiled and deceived the fresh unpractised apparently in sullen and listless compoburthened as it could ever have been. heart of the Curate of Maplehurst. Rich-sure, his countenance was free and unard Temple recovered, and arose from his There was no droop of remorse; no fixbed of suffering a better and a happier edness of dispair; not an emotion heaved man. The dream of erring passion had within him, he appeared like a cold and. passed away. He had been punished for unfeeling old sinner whose pulse of hnmanhis delusion. But the vision and the chastisement ceased together. He sickened as ity had ceased to throb, and whose kindlier veins had been congealed by frosts as he remembered the wiles of Lady Tor-blasting as those that had silvered o'er his. rington, and his heart, purified from her temples. Impression was strong against pernicious influence, opened again a home him. The prosecuting attorney urged for the image of his once-loved, innocent law and facts, and eloquence which were Mary. irresistible, against him, and when he sat Need we say that, his brief intoxication down even Mercy's self in that court could forgotten and forgiven, she renewed vows scarce have had the power to save him. of affection with trembling and delight. Henry as he arose glanced at the audiTears, it is true, were still in her eyes as ence with a look that chided the low mutshe leaned on his bosom, and listened to terings which were thickening, and deepthe words of tenderness and love, but they ening throughout the court. Unfavourawere tears of delicious joy. ble as opinion was against the prisoner, A few weeks passed in bliss, which each the rebuke was not lost, in a moinent all equally shared-they were married. A were silent. The first sound of his voice. change of ministry occasioned the sudden seemed, as the muttered complaint was recall of Lord Torrington from Munich, suppressed, to silence, and it was not long and the departure of Lady Torrington for before their indignation was also hushed London at this time, and greatly to the and still. The attention of the jury was satisfaction of Mary, she never returned at each sentence losing its indifference, to Maplehurst while her husband contin- and yielding more and more to the blandued in the curacy. The talents of Rich-ishment of his fascinating exordium. Byard Temple procured him, ere long, the and-bye, it was unconsciously changed to