too long. How could I expect you or your brother could form an intimate connexion with a 'De Ross, and long bestow on me those flattering, precious testimonies ?"

His voice failed on recalling those happy days of friendship and innocence'days that he feared 'were gone for ever; and his pride subdued by a sweeter, stronger émotion, he besought her, by a word, to confirm or remove his appréhen

sions.

Julia wished to speak that word; but on Lascelles alluding to Horatio's coldness to him, it suddenly struck her that she had discovered the fatal reason of it. It wasit could be no other than the'embarrassment of Somerville's affairs, which "made him dread the marriage of Julia, as such a circumstance would involve the necessity of accounting for her fortune. 'But how communicate such a degrading se"cret to Lascelles? While she reflected on it, in prolonged silence, it occurred to

her

her again, that it was doing both her brother and her lover injustice, to suppose, either, on the one hand, that any temporary embarrassments could induce Somerville to oppose her permanent happiness, or, on the other, that Lascelles was capable of ungenerously distressing him." No, Horatio!" she mentally exclaimed, " you are too good, too kind, not to avail yourself of the first opportunity to do me justice; and, in the meantime, you could not trust your distresses to a friend more noble-minded, more forbearing, than Lascelles."

Influenced by these latter reflections, Julia, with a blush, replied to Adolphus, by modestly referring him to her brother: and he, justly concluding this was the form she chose to give to her consent, for an instant indulged in the transports of gratified affection." I see him cross the walk," he said, speaking of Somerville; "I will not delay a moment learning what I may hope."

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After

After this, Julia observed Lascelles and her brother, linked arm in arm, engaged in conversation, that did not appear to turn out so favourably as Adolphus expected to his wishes. The manner of Lascelles was ardent, eager, and agitated; that of Somerville cool, polite, and self-possessed. He seemed to be evading some question Adolphus was earnestly pressing on him, but evading it with a degree of gentlemanlike and well-bred gaiety. Julia would have given much to know what he was saying, and felt transfixed, by an agitating and painful curiosity, to the spot where Lascelles had quitted her. Soon the gentlemen separated. Again Lascelles rushed by the pavilion; but he would have passed on without turning to look at her, but for an exclamation that she could not restrain.

"Oh, Julia!" he then demanded, gazing on her with looks which painted all the anguish of his soul, "why-why was I not worthy, at least, to have been your friend?

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friend? You might have had more confidence in me-I understand it all now; and may your choice be happy!"

Convinced that he spoke under the influence of some misapprehension, she entreated him to stay-to explain himself.

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No, Julia; think no more of me," he replied. He whom you prefer well deserves your undivided heart. Who is better qualified to speak to his merits than-"

The effort to praise a rival was too much for the haughty, though generous spirit of Adolphus. He could not conclude it; but, pausing, from excess of emotion, took both her hands, and pressing them with energy to his bursting heart, exclaimed "Once and again, adieu, thou promised treasure of my life! Adieuadieu for ever!"

Confused, overwhelmed with this unexpected termination of her hopes, Julia remained bewildered in a maze of the most painful conjectures, and scarcely noticed

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the entrance of her brother into the pavilion. The sight of him, however, soon awakened in her mind an irresistible desire to know the extremity of her fate; and, no longer restrained by scruples which, in a calmer state of spirits, had such weight with her, she raised her eyes with a look of wild inquiry to meet Horatio's, and earnestly adjured him to tell her truly what it was he had said to Adolphus.

Somerville experienced, at this demand, a degree of confusion approaching to remorse. Hiding his embarrassment under a more gay and gallant air than usual, he repeated" Said to him! I think, Julia, you ought rather to ask what Lascelles said to me. But, no-you are too well apprised already, I doubt not, when your charms have made a new slave. He said very handsome things, I assure you, and accounted, in the most satisfactory manner, for never having before hinted at his admiration of you. I told him, in return, that

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