tended always to refine the heart, and that, as the world grew more enlightened, morality appeared more clearly and exactly defined; in a word, that the utmost expansion of our intellect must co-operate with our improvement in Christian virtues. Waldegrave also felt that, though the existence of evil must remain a mystery, yet that it ought not to create distrust towards the Almighty, whose care in framing and preserving the world (abounding in such wonderful contrivances for our enjoyment) evidently evinces a merciful dispensation, and love towards his creatures; and that only our blindness and defective capacities could induce us to arraign the design of a system wholly beyond our comprehension.

He found, too, the long mislaid book of which Edith in his vision had reminded him, and ever as the shades of night covered the world, the leaves were opened, and he addressed on high a prayer for her. "If thou art false," exclaimed he, gazing on her handwriting, "even thy deceit has blessed me." It is remarkable, that though his memory incessantly recurred to the thousand tokens of Edith's treachery and caprice, yet even in his bitterest moments the remembrance of her dark blue eye, and the soft tones of her voice, had power to calm his passions. He mourned for her rather as one dead than fallen, while religion softened his soul, and rendered him resigned to his lot. He was spared Lady Louisa's society, and while his own contributed to Lord Egmont's happiness, the current of his time glided smoothly on, though he felt at times the bitter sting of disappointment and self-reproach.

We should have mentioned that, shortly after Henry's explanation with his father, Lord Egmont rode over to Enmore, where he executed his commission. Lord St. Aubrey received the unwelcome information with supercilious indignation; observing in the tone of proud mortification, that it was well so, as Lady Louisa had never been acquainted with his intentions, and that he had reason to believe she had already disposed of herself.

Lord Egmont simply and feelingly expressed his regret for the failure of their hopes, and trusted that since Lady Louisa had been ignorant of the negotiation, it would not lead to any interruption of their friendship.

Lord St. Aubrey bowed haughtily, and Lord Egmont withdrew.

It was true, that Lady Louisa had never been a party i her father's schemes, who well knew that high-spirited gi would be more likely to thwart than encourage them. Sh was, in truth, a good-humoured, undesigning being, whos brilliant expectations made her independent of matrimonia contingencies, and the amusement of rallying Waldegrav varied the gloom cast over her life by Lord St. Aubrey sullen pride, without exciting one moment's speculatio within her artless bosom.

Three days after this event, Lord St. Aubrey and hi daughter set out for their castle in the north; and as Lad Louisa appeared no more at Egmont, it was probable tha her father had prohibited a leave-taking visit.

CHAPTER XXXII.

I pity much your grievances,

Which, since I know they virtuously are placed,
I give consent to go along with you;
Recking as little what betideth me,

As much I wish all good befortune you.

SHAKSPEARE

In the beginning of November, as Waldegrave and Lor Egmont were standing by the water's edge, they observed horseman coming on at full gallop, who did not relax in speed till he drew up beside them. The rider then informe them that he had posted forty miles by Mr. Fielding's desire to deliver a letter into Mr. Waldegrave's hands.

"Where then is Mr. Fielding?" asked Waldegrave "and what is the cause of this haste ?" The man answere that Mr. Fielding was now at his country place, having jus arrived from the Continent.

Lord Egmont pointed out to the messenger the neares road to the house, while Waldegrave opened Fielding' packet, which contained these few lines, enclosing anothe letter:

"DEAR WALDEGRAVE,..

"I have sent you the enclosed letter express by the wri

ter's particular desire, whom I saw about a week ago. I hope you and yours are well, and that I shall soon get a sight of you at Egmont, Truly yours,

JOHN FIELDING."

Waldegrave broke open the seal, and looking at the signature, read the name of "Rathallan."

So great was his agitation at this most unexpected sight. that he vainly attempted to decipher the contents. "It is to announce her marriage," thought he; "Oh! Heavens!" he exclaimed, "what a trial is this!" "Have you any news?" inquired his father, anxiously.

66

bad

Alas, I do not know;" said Waldegrave: "I cannot read it, but I guess at the nature of the information."

Ashamed of his weakness, Henry then made a second attempt to read the contents, during which his countenance showed how powerfully his mind was affected; it ran thus:

"MY DEAR Mr. WALDEGRAVE,

"You will, I doubt not, remember the nature of our con versation on the morning of your departure from Comc, when I promised to watch over your interests, and as far as lay in my power, to support them. I consider it my duty then to acquaint you, without loss of time, that Miss Vivian's marriage with Lord Forrester is broken off, nor is there the least apparent chance of its being renewed. At this dis tance of time I cannot be sure whether your feelings remain unaltered, since last you honoured me with your confidence ; should no change have taken place, I trust that I shall not be deemed officious in telling you candidly, that you have not one hour to throw away in repairing to Como. "You need have no uneasiness about your reception, as I assured the party here last spring, that some unpleasant news had obliged you to set off suddenly. They have since learned your arrival in England, but are ignorant when it took place. As Mr. Fielding expects to be at home in a week, I thought it better to charge him with this, than trust to the more uncertain conveyance of the post.

"I will not lengthen my letter, lest I should cause him to lose the courier for Milan. I only add, that moments are more precious than I can tell you. I pray that the result of all this be happy for you; but, my dear Sir, you must bear in mind how often disappointment is the consequence of VOL. II.--6

ardent hope, and what has already passed must convince you that the future is full of incertitude; your presence, however, on the spot is the only way of clearing up all doubts.

"In great haste, ever faithfully yours,

"RATHALLAN."

Waldegrave's first emotion was that of unmixed joy. The exclamations "Good Heavens!" "Is it possible?" "Thank God!" which unconsciously escaped him, restored the colour to Lord Egmont's cheek.

"What is it?" asked he.

"Oh! my dear father, God be praised!" said Waldegrave, "it is hope and existence restored," and he gave Lord Egmont the letter.

Lord Egmont read it twice, but during the second perusal his countenance grew visibly longer. "I would not willingly damp your sanguine expectation," said he; "but though the chief obstacle' of your happiness is removed, yet Rathallan is evidently acquainted with some un, favourable circumstances of which you are ignorant. What can his excessive urgency for your arrival at Como mean? His doubts for the future, and the preparation he tries to give you for some disappointment? I am ignorant what encouragement your hopes may formerly have received; but this letter seems to suggest to me that Edith's engagement with Forrester had been given up for some more favoured competitor."

Waldegrave, to whose mind the remembrance of Edith's extraordinary note to Villanza was ever present, glanced his eye over the letter, and shuddered as he pondered on the writer's ambiguous terms.

"It is inconceivable!" he exclaimed: "who that knew Edith would suppose her capable of keeping up this mys tery?-nor will I-who have lived with her as a brother, doted on her as a lover, venerated her for that surpassing excellence of beauty that seemed stamped from the very model of her soul-now listen to the fiend sus icion. Rathallan is right. I will go there. He too, as I remember her telling me, has a desponding temperament; and he may think worse of my affairs than I should."

"I should decidedly advise your going there," said Lord Egmont, "were it not that, in the present unaccountable

circumstances, you have not sufficient ground to sanction your renewing an intercourse which would imbitter your life in the event of a subsequent separation."

"For that, my dear father," said Waldegrave, "I have no apprehension. Our meeting again would certainly be a trial; yet, if she really were what I once thought her, she must be so still; if not, there will be no surer remedy for me, than that bitterest one of knowing her unworthy so much affection as I have bestowed on her.'

"Do as you think best," said Lord Egmont; "but arm yourself for the worst."

"With your leave," said Waldegrave, "I will despatch a man to Edgar," who had long since returned to his uncle's, "as I would willingly appoint some place of meeting for us." Such was the tumult of Waldegrave's mind, that it were difficult to say whether pain or pleasure most predominated. His present fears had passed away; but perhaps they were only exchanged for a more melancholy certainty. Yet some hope there must be, or Rathallan would not have written urgently. Joy was, however, too new an inmate of his breast long to retain its place; anxiety and mistrust, its habitual tenants, too quickly returned.

"What if I speed to Como, and see her kind as formerly, yet know that, while she is devoted to Villanza, I am to be made her plaything, as Forrester was? Shall I be the fool to seek her, to see her smile and smile,' and lead me on till I madly fancy I have attained the goal of happiness, that she may dash me thence, and boast exultingly of her cool-blooded treachery. Oh! Edith, can these be your intentions! You, who seem the emblem of virtue on earth, whose very idea, all beautiful as it is, dispels the breath of suspicion-1 will not listen to it. In justice to us both, I will thoroughly sift the matter, ere she again resume her power to make me miserable-and then God's will be done. I have that to support me now which I had not formerly."

Waldegrave had, indeed, deeply wronged Edith, when he supposed her capable of trampling on his affections. In the deep solitude where her mind had been developed, nature had taught her a lesson it were well if our London belles could acquire. To her the transient triumph over unrequited affections had seemed cruelty; the unfeeling boast which scatters among a host of tattlers a secret unutterably precious to the over-trusting heart that offered it, appeared