BOOK IV. 

"A virtuous woman is man's greatest pride. "--SIMONIDES. 

CHAPTER I. 

 ABROAD uneasy, nor content at home. . . . . . . And Wisdom shows the ill without the cure. 

 HAMMOND: _Elegies_. 

TWO or three days after the interview between Lord Vargrave andMaltravers, the solitude of Burleigh was relieved by the arrival of Mr. Cleveland. The good old gentleman, when free from attacks of the gout, which were now somewhat more frequent than formerly, was the samecheerful and intelligent person as ever. Amiable, urbane, accomplished, and benevolent, there was just enough worldliness in Cleveland's natureto make his views sensible as far as they went, but to bound their scope. Everything he said was so rational; and yet, to an imaginative person, his conversation was unsatisfactory, and his philosophy somewhatchilling. 

"I cannot say how pleased and surprised I am at your care of the fine oldplace, " said he to Maltravers, as, leaning on his cane and his_ci-devant_ pupil's arm, he loitered observantly through the grounds; "Isee everywhere the presence of the Master. "

And certainly the praise was deserved. The gardens were now in order, the dilapidated fences were repaired, the weeds no longer encumbered thewalks. Nature was just assisted and relieved by Art, without beingoppressed by too officious a service from her handmaid. In the houseitself some suitable and appropriate repairs and decorations--with sucharticles of furniture as combined modern comfort with the ancient andpicturesque shapes of a former fashion--had redeemed the mansion from allappearance of dreariness and neglect; while still was left to its quainthalls and chambers the character which belonged to their architecture andassociations. It was surprising how much a little exercise of simpletaste had effected. 

"I am glad you approve what I have done, " said Maltravers. "I know nothow it was, but the desolation of the place when I returned to itreproached me. We contract friendship with places as with human beings, and fancy they have claims upon us; at least, that is my weakness. "

"And an amiable one it is, too, --I share it. As for me, I look uponTemple Grove as a fond husband upon a fair wife. I am always anxious toadorn it, and as proud of its beauty as if it could understand and thankme for my partial admiration. When I leave you I intend going to Paris, for the purpose of attending a sale of the pictures and effects of M. De-----. These auctions are to me what a jeweller's shop is to a lover; butthen, Ernest, I am an old bachelor. "

"And I, too, am an Arcadian, " said Maltravers, with a smile. 

"Ah, but you are not too old for repentance. Burleigh now requiresnothing but a mistress. "

"Perhaps it may soon receive that addition. I am yet undecided whether Ishall sell it. "

"Sell it! sell Burleigh!--the last memorial of your mother's ancestry!the classic retreat of the graceful Digbys! Sell Burleigh!"

"I had almost resolved to do so when I came hither; then I forswore theintention: now again I sometimes sorrowfully return to the idea. "

"And in Heaven's name, why?"

"My old restlessness returns. Busy myself as I will here, I find therange of action monotonous and confined. I began too soon to draw aroundme the large circumference of literature and action; and the smallprovincial sphere seems to me a sad going back in life. Perhaps I shouldnot feel this, were my home less lonely; but as it is--no, the wanderer'sban is on me, and I again turn towards the lands of excitement andadventure. "

"I understand this, Ernest; but why is your home so solitary? You arestill at the age in which wise and congenial unions are the mostfrequently formed; your temper is domestic; your easy fortune and soberedambition allow you to choose without reference to worldly considerations. Look round the world, and mix with the world again, and give Burleigh themistress it requires. "

Maltravers shook his head, and sighed. 

"I do not say, " continued Cleveland, wrapped in the glowing interest ofthe theme, "that you should marry a mere girl, but an amiable woman, who, like yourself, has seen something of life, and knows how to reckon on itscares, and to be contented with its enjoyments. "

"You have said enough, " said Maltravers, impatiently; "an experiencedwoman of the world, whose freshness of hope and heart is gone! What apicture! No, to me there is something inexpressibly beautiful ininnocence and youth. But you say justly, --my years are not those thatwould make a union with youth desirable or well suited. "

"I do _not_ say that, " said Cleveland, taking a pinch of snuff; "but youshould avoid great disparity of age, --not for the sake of that disparityitself, but because with it is involved discord of temper, pursuits. A_very_ young woman, new to the world, will not be contented with homealone; you are at once too gentle to curb her wishes, and a little toostern and reserved--pardon me for saying so--to be quite congenial tovery early and sanguine youth. "

"It is true, " said Maltravers, with a tone of voice that showed he wasstruck with the remark; "but how have we fallen on this subject? let uschange it. I have no idea of marriage, --the gloomy reminiscence ofFlorence Lascelles chains me to the past. "

"Poor Florence, she might once have suited you; but now you are older, and would require a calmer and more malleable temper. "

"Peace, I implore you!"

The conversation was changed; and at noon Mr. Merton, who had heard ofCleveland's arrival, called at Burleigh to renew an old acquaintance. Heinvited them to pass the evening at the rectory; and Cleveland, hearingthat whist was a regular amusement, accepted the invitation for his hostand himself. But when the evening came, Maltravers pleadedindisposition, and Cleveland was obliged to go alone. 

When the old gentleman returned about midnight, he found Maltraversawaiting him in the library; and Cleveland, having won fourteen points, was in a very gay, conversable humour. 

"You perverse hermit!" said he, "talk of solitude, indeed, with sopleasant a family a hundred yards distant! You deserve to besolitary, --I have no patience with you. They complain bitterly of yourdesertion, and say you were, at first, the _enfant de la maison_. "

"So you like the Mertons? The clergyman is sensible, but commonplace. "

"A very agreeable man, despite your cynical definition, and plays a veryfair rubber. But Vargrave is a first-rate player. "

"Vargrave is there still?"

"Yes, he breakfasts with us to-morrow, --he invited himself. "

"Humph!"

"He played one rubber; the rest of the evening he devoted himself to theprettiest girl I ever saw, --Miss Cameron. What a sweet face! so modest, yet so intelligent! I talked with her a good deal during the deals inwhich I cut out. I almost lost my heart to her. "

"So Lord Vargrave devoted himself to Miss Cameron?"

"To be sure, --you know they are to be married soon. Merton told me so. She is very rich. He is the luckiest fellow imaginable, that Vargrave!But he is much too old for her: she seems to think so too. I can'texplain why I think it; but by her pretty reserved manner I saw that shetried to keep the gay minister at a distance: but it would not do. Now, if you were ten years younger, or Miss Cameron ten years older, you mighthave had some chance of cutting out your old friend. "

"So you think I also am too old for a lover?"

"For a lover of a girl of seventeen, certainly. You seem touchy on thescore of age, Ernest. "

"Not I;" and Maltravers laughed. 

"No? There was a young gentleman present, who, I think, Vargrave mightreally find a dangerous rival, --a Colonel Legard, --one of the handsomestmen I ever saw in my life; just the style to turn a romantic young lady'shead; a mixture of the wild and the thoroughbred; black curls, superbeyes, and the softest manners in the world. But, to be sure, he haslived all his life in the best society. Not so his friend, LordDoltimore, who has a little too much of the green-room lounge and French_cafe_ manner for my taste. "

"Doltimore, Legard, names new to me; I never met them at the rectory. "

"Possibly they are staying at Admiral Legard's, in the neighbourhood. Miss Merton made their acquaintance at Knaresdean. A good old lady--themost perfect Mrs. Grundy one would wish to meet with--who owns themonosyllabic appellation of Hare (and who, being my partner, trumped myking!) assured me that Lord Doltimore was desperately in love withCaroline Merton. By the way, now, there is a young lady of a proper agefor you, --handsome and clever, too. "

"You talk of antidotes to matrimony; and so Miss Cameron--"

"Oh, no more of Miss Cameron now, or I shall sit up all night; she hashalf turned my head. I can't help pitying her, --married to one socareless and worldly as Lord Vargrave, thrown so young into the whirl ofLondon. Poor thing! she had better have fallen in love withLegard, --which I dare say she will do, after all. Well, good-night!"

CHAPTER II. 

 PASSION, as frequently is seen, Subsiding, settles into spleen; Hence, as the plague of happy life, I ran away from party strife. --MATTHEW GREEN. 

 Here nymphs from hollow oaks relate The dark decrees and will of fate. --_Ibid. _

ACCORDING to his engagement, Vargrave breakfasted the next morning atBurleigh. Maltravers at first struggled to return his familiarcordiality with equal graciousness. Condemning himself for former andunfounded suspicions, he wrestled against feelings which he could not orwould not analyze, but which made Lumley an unwelcome visitor, andconnected him with painful associations, whether of the present or thepast. But there were points on which the penetration of Maltraversserved to justify his prepossessions. 

The conversation, chiefly sustained by Cleveland and Vargrave, fell onpublic questions; and as one was opposed to the other, Vargrave'sexposition of views and motives had in them so much of the self-seekingof the professional placeman, that they might well have offended any mantinged by the lofty mania of political Quixotism. It was with a strangemixture of feelings that Maltravers listened: at one moment he proudlycongratulated himself on having quitted a career where such opinionsseemed so well to prosper: at another, his better and juster sentimentsawoke the long-dormant combative faculty, and he almost longed for theturbulent but sublime arena, in which truths are vindicated and mankindadvanced. 

The interview did not serve for that renewal of intimacy which Vargraveappeared to seek, and Maltravers rejoiced when the placeman took hisdeparture. 

Lumley, who was about to pay a morning visit to Lord Doltimore, hadborrowed Mr. Merton's stanhope, as being better adapted than anystatelier vehicle to get rapidly through the cross-roads which led toAdmiral Legard's house; and as he settled himself in the seat, with hisservant by his side, he said laughingly, "I almost fancy myself naughtymaster Lumley again in this young-man-kind of two-wheeled cockle-boat:not dignified, but rapid, eh?"

And Lumley's face, as he spoke, had in it so much of frank gayety, andhis manner was so simple, that Maltravers could with difficulty fancy himthe same man who, five minutes before, had been uttering sentiments thatmight have become the oldest-hearted intriguer whom the hot-bed ofambition ever reared. 

As soon as Lumley was gone, Maltravers left Cleveland alone to writeletters (Cleveland was an exemplary and voluminous correspondent) andstrolled with his dogs into the village. The effect which the presenceof Maltravers produced among his peasantry was one that seldom failed torefresh and soothe his more bitter and disturbed thoughts. They hadgradually (for the poor are quick-sighted) become sensible of his_justice_, --a finer quality than many that seem more amiable. They feltthat his real object was to make them better and happier; and they hadlearned to see that the means he adopted generally advanced the end. Besides, if sometimes stern, he was never capricious or unreasonable; andthen, too, he would listen patiently and advise kindly. They were alittle in awe of him, but the awe only served to make them moreindustrious and orderly, --to stimulate the idle man, to reclaim thedrunkard. He was one of the favourers of the small-allotmentsystem, --not, indeed, as panacea, but as one excellent stimulant toexertion and independence; and his chosen rewards for good conduct werein such comforts as served to awaken amongst those hitherto passive, dogged, and hopeless a desire to better and improve their condition. Somehow or other, without direct alms, the goodwife found that the littlesavings in the cracked teapot or the old stocking had greatly increasedsince the squire's return, while her husband came home from his moderatecups at the alehouse more sober and in better temper. Having alreadysaved something was a great reason why he should save more. The newschool, too, was so much better conducted than the old one; the childrenactually liked going there; and now and then there were little villagefeasts connected with the schoolroom; play and work were jointassociations. 

And Maltravers looked into his cottages, and looked at theallotment-ground; and it was pleasant to him to say to himself, "I am notaltogether without use in life. " But as he pursued his lonely walk, andthe glow of self-approval died away with the scenes that called it forth, the cloud again settled on his brow; and again he felt that in solitudethe passions feed upon the heart. As he thus walked along the greenlane, and the insect life of summer rustled audibly among the shadowyhedges and along the thick grass that sprang up on either side, he camesuddenly upon a little group that arrested all his attention. 

It was a woman, clad in rags, bleeding, and seemingly insensible, supported by the overseer of the parish and a labourer. 

"What is the matter?" asked Maltravers. 

"A poor woman has been knocked down and run over by a gentleman in a gig, your honour, " replied the overseer. "He stopped, half an hour ago, at myhouse to tell me that she was lying on the road; and he has given me twosovereigns for her, your honour. But, poor cretur! she was too heavy forme to carry her, and I was forced to leave her and call Tom to help me. "

"The gentleman might have stayed to see what were the consequences of hisown act, " muttered Maltravers, as be examined the wound in the temple, whence the blood flowed copiously. 

"He said he was in a great hurry, your honour, " said the villageofficial, overhearing Maltravers. "I think it was one of the grand folksup at the parsonage; for I know it was Mr. Merton's bay horse, --he is ahot 'un!"

"Does the poor woman live in the neighbourhood? Do you know her?" askedMaltravers, turning from the contemplation of this new instance ofVargrave's selfishness of character. 

"No; the old body seems quite a stranger here, --a tramper, or beggar, Ithink, sir. But it won't be a settlement if we take her in; and we cancarry her to the Chequers, up the village, your honour. "

"What is the nearest house, --your own?"

"Yes; but we be so busy now!"

"She shall not go to your house, and be neglected; and as for thepublic-house, it is too noisy: we must move her to the Hall. "

"Your honour!" ejaculated the overseer, opening his eyes. 

"It is not very far; she is severely hurt. Get a hurdle, lay a mattresson it. Make haste, both of you; I will wait here till you return. "

The poor woman was carefully placed on the grass by the road-side, andMaltravers supported her head, while the men hastened to obey his orders. 

CHAPTER III. 

 ALSE from that forked hill, the boasted seat Of studious Peace and mild Philosophy, Indignant murmurs mote be heard to threat. --WEST. 

MR. CLEVELAND wanted to enrich one of his letters with a quotation fromAriosto, which he but imperfectly remembered. He had seen the book hewished to refer to in the little study the day before; and he quitted thelibrary to search for it. 

As he was tumbling over some volumes that lay piled on the writing-table, he felt a student's curiosity to discover what now constituted his host'sfavourite reading. He was surprised to observe that the greater portionof the works that, by the doubled leaf and the pencilled reference, seemed most frequently consulted, were not of a literary nature, --theywere chiefly scientific; and astronomy seemed the chosen science. Hethen remembered that he had heard Maltravers speaking to a builder, employed on the recent repairs, on the subject of an observatory. "Thisis very strange, " thought Cleveland; "he gives up literature, the rewardsof which are in his reach, and turns to science, at an age too late todiscipline his mind to its austere training. "

Alas! Cleveland did not understand that there are times in life whenimaginative minds seek to numb and to blunt imagination. Still less didhe feel that, when we perversely refuse to apply our active faculties tothe catholic interests of the world, they turn morbidly into channels ofresearch the least akin to their real genius. By the collision of mindsalone does each mind discover what is its proper product: left toourselves, our talents become but intellectual eccentricities. 

Some scattered papers, in the handwriting of Maltravers, fell from one ofthe volumes. Of these, a few were but algebraical calculations, or shortscientific suggestions, the value of which Mr. Cleveland's studies didnot enable him to ascertain; but in others they were wild snatches ofmournful and impassioned verse, which showed that the old vein of poetrystill flowed, though no longer to the daylight. These verses Clevelandthought himself justified in glancing over; they seemed to portray astate of mind which deeply interested, and greatly saddened him. Theyexpressed, indeed, a firm determination to bear up against both thememory and the fear of ill; but mysterious and hinted allusions here andthere served to denote some recent and yet existent struggle, revealed bythe heart only to the genius. In these partial and imperfectself-communings and confessions, there was the evidence of the piningaffections, the wasted life, the desolate hearth of the lonely man. Yetso calm was Maltravers himself, even to his early friend, that Clevelandknew not what to think of the reality of the feelings painted. Had thatfervid and romantic spirit been again awakened by a living object? Ifso, where was the object found? The dates affixed to the verses weremost recent. But whom had Maltravers seen? Cleveland's thoughts turnedto Caroline Merton, to Evelyn; but when he had spoken of both, nothing inthe countenance, the manner, of Maltravers had betrayed emotion. Andonce the heart of Maltravers had so readily betrayed itself! Clevelandknew not how pride, years, and suffering school the features, and repressthe outward signs of what pass within. While thus engaged, the door ofthe study opened abruptly, and the servant announced Mr. Merton. 

"A thousand pardons, " said the courteous rector. "I fear we disturb you;but Admiral Legard and Lord Doltimore, who called on us this morning, were so anxious to see Burleigh, I thought I might take the liberty. Wehave come over quite in a large party, --taken the place by storm. Mr. Maltravers is out, I hear; but you will let us see the house. My alliesare already in the hall, examining the armour. "

Cleveland, ever sociable and urbane, answered suitably, and went with Mr. Merton into the hall, where Caroline, her little sisters, Evelyn, LordDoltimore, Admiral Legard, and his nephew were assembled. 

"Very proud to be my host's representative and your guide, " saidCleveland. "Your visit, Lord Doltimore, is indeed an agreeable surprise. Lord Vargrave left us an hour or so since to call on you at AdmiralLegard's: we buy our pleasure with his disappointment. "

"It is very unfortunate, " said the admiral, a bluff, harsh-looking oldgentleman; "but we were not aware, till we saw Mr. Merton, of the honourLord Vargrave has done us. I can't think how we missed him on the road. "

"My dear uncle, " said Colonel Legard, in a peculiarly sweet and agreeabletone of voice, "you forget we came three miles round by the high road;and Mr. Merton says that Lord Vargrave took the short cut by Langley End. My uncle, Mr. Cleveland, never feels in safety upon land, unless the roadis as wide as the British Channel, and the horses go before the wind atthe rapid pace of two knots and a half an hour!"

"I just wish I had you at sea, Mr. Jackanapes, " said the admiral, lookinggrimly at his handsome nephew, while he shook his cane at him. 

The nephew smiled; and, falling back, conversed with Evelyn. 

The party were now shown over the house; and Lord Doltimore was loud inits praises. It was like a chateau he had once hired in Normandy, --ithad a French character; those old chairs were in excellent taste, --quitethe style of Francis the First. 

"I know no man I respect more than Mr. Maltravers, " quoth the admiral. "Since he has been amongst us this time, he has been a pattern to uscountry gentlemen. He would make an excellent colleague for Sir John. We really must get him to stand against that young puppy who is member ofthe House of Commons only because his father is a peer, and never votesmore than twice a session. "

Mr. Merton looked grave. 

"I wish to Heaven you could persuade him to stay amongst you, " saidCleveland. "He has half taken it into his head to part with Burleigh!"

"Part with Burleigh!" exclaimed Evelyn, turning abruptly from thehandsome colonel, in whose conversation she had hitherto seemed absorbed. 

"My very ejaculation when I heard him say so, my dear young lady. "

"I wish he would, " said Lord Doltimore hastily, and glancing towardsCaroline. "I should much like to buy it. What do you think would be thepurchase-money?"

"Don't talk so cold-bloodedly, " said the admiral, letting the point ofhis cane fall with great emphasis on the floor. "I can't bear to see oldfamilies deserting their old places, --quite wicked. You buy Burleigh!have not you got a country seat of your own, my lord? Go and live there, and take Mr. Maltravers for your model, --you could not have a better. "

Lord Doltimore sneered, coloured, settled his neckcloth, and turninground to Colonel Legard, whispered, "Legard, your good uncle is a bore. "

Legard looked a little offended, and made no reply. 

"But, " said Caroline, coming to the relief of her admirer, "if Mr. Maltravers will sell the place, surely he could not have a bettersuccessor. "

"He sha'n't sell the place, ma'am, and that's poz!" cried the admiral. "The whole county shall sign a round-robin to tell him it's a shame; andif any one dares to buy it we'll send him to Coventry. "

Miss Merton laughed, but looked round the old wainscot walls with unusualinterest; she thought it would be a fine thing to be Lady of Burleigh!

"And what is that picture so carefully covered up?" said the admiral, asthey now stood in the library. 

"The late Mrs. Maltravers, Ernest's mother, " replied Cleveland, slowly. "He dislikes it to be shown--to strangers: the other is a Digby. "

Evelyn looked towards the veiled portrait, and thought of her firstinterview with Maltravers; but the soft voice of Colonel Legard murmuredin her ear; and her revery was broken. 

Cleveland eyed the colonel, and muttered to himself, "Vargrave shouldkeep a sharp look-out. "

They had now finished their round of the show-apartments--which indeedhad little but their antiquity and old portraits to recommend them--andwere in a lobby at the back of the house, communicating with a courtyard, two sides of which were occupied with the stables. The sight of thestables reminded Caroline of the Arab horses; and at the word "horses"Lord Doltimore seized Legard's arm and carried him off to inspect theanimals. Caroline, her father, and the admiral followed. Mr. Clevelandhappened not to have on his walking-shoes; and the flagstones in thecourtyard looked damp; and Mr. Cleveland, like most old bachelors, wasprudently afraid of cold; so he excused himself, and stayed behind. Hewas talking to Evelyn about the Digbys, and full of anecdotes about SirKenelm at the moment the rest departed so abruptly; and Evelyn wasinterested, so she insisted on keeping him company. 

The old gentleman was flattered; he thought it excellent breeding in MissCameron. The children ran out to renew acquaintance with the peacock, who, perched on an old stirrup-stone, was sunning his gay plumage in thenoon-day. 

"It is astonishing, " said Cleveland, "how certain family features aretransmitted from generation to generation! Maltravers has still theforehead and eyebrows of the Digbys, --that peculiar, brooding, thoughtfulforehead, which you observed in the picture of Sir Kenelm. Once, too, hehad much the same dreaming character of mind, but he has lost that, insome measure at least. He has fine qualities, Miss Cameron, --I haveknown him since he was born. I trust his career is not yet closed; couldhe but form ties that would bind him to England, I should indulge inhigher expectations than I did even when the wild boy turned half theheads in Gottingen. 

"But we were talking of family portraits: there is one in theentrance-hall, which perhaps you have not observed; it is halfobliterated by damp and time, yet it is of a remarkable personage, connected with Maltravers by ancestral intermarriages, --Lord Falkland, the Falkland of Clarendon; a man weak in character, but made mostinteresting by history, --utterly unfitted for the severe ordeal of thosestormy times; sighing for peace when his whole soul should have been inwar; and repentant alike whether with the Parliament or the king, butstill a personage of elegant and endearing associations; astudent-soldier, with a high heart and a gallant spirit. Come and lookat his features, --homely and worn, but with a characteristic air ofrefinement and melancholy thought. "

Thus running on, the agreeable old gentleman drew Evelyn into the outerhall. Upon arriving there, through a small passage, which opened uponthe hall, they were surprised to find the old housekeeper and anotherfemale servant standing by a rude kind of couch on which lay the form ofthe poor woman described in the last chapter. Maltravers and two othermen were also there; and Maltravers himself was giving orders to hisservants, while he leaned over the sufferer, who was now conscious bothof pain and the service rendered to her. As Evelyn stopped abruptly, andin surprise, opposite and almost at the foot of the homely litter, thewoman raised herself up on one arm, and gazed at her with a wild stare;then muttering some incoherent words which appeared to betoken delirium, she sank back, and was again insensible. 

CHAPTER IV. 

 HENCE oft to win some stubborn maid, Still does the wanton god assume The martial air, the gay cockade, The sword, the shoulder-knot, and plume. 

 MARRIOTT. 

THE hall was cleared, the sufferer had been removed, and Maltravers wasleft alone with Cleveland and Evelyn. 

He simply and shortly narrated the adventure of the morning; but he didnot mention that Vargrave had been the cause of the injury his new guesthad sustained. Now this event had served to make a mutual and kindredimpression on Evelyn and Maltravers. The humanity of the latter, naturaland commonplace as it was, was an endearing recollection to Evelyn, precisely as it showed that his cold theory of disdain towards the massdid not affect his actual conduct towards individuals. On the otherhand, Maltravers had perhaps been yet more impressed with the prompt andingenuous sympathy which Evelyn had testified towards the sufferer: ithad so evidently been her first gracious and womanly impulse to hasten tothe side of this humble stranger. In that impulse, Maltravers himselfhad been almost forgotten; and as the poor woman lay pale and lifeless, and the young Evelyn bent over her in beautiful compassion, Maltraversthought she had never seemed so lovely, so irresistible, --in fact, pityin woman is a great beautifier. 

As Maltravers finished his short tale, Evelyn's eyes were fixed upon himwith such frank and yet such soft approval, that the look went straightto his heart. He quickly turned away, and abruptly changed theconversation. 

"But how long have you been here, Miss Cameron, --and your companions?"

"We are again intruders; but this time it was not my fault. "

"No, " said Cleveland, "for a wonder it was male, and not lady-likecuriosity that trespassed on Bluebeard's chamber. But, however, tosoften your resentment, know that Miss Cameron has brought you apurchaser for Burleigh. Now, then, we can test the sincerity of yourwish to part with it. I assure you, meanwhile, that Miss Cameron was asmuch shocked at the idea as I was. Were you not?"

"But you surely have no intention of selling Burleigh?" said Evelyn, anxiously. 

"I fear I do not know my own mind. "

"Well, " said Cleveland, "here comes your tempter. Lord Doltimore, let meintroduce Mr. Maltravers. "

Lord Doltimore bowed. 

"Been admiring your horses, Mr. Maltravers. I never saw anything soperfect as the black one; may I ask where you bought him?"

"It was a present to me, " answered Maltravers. 

"A present?"

"Yes, from one who would not have sold that horse for a king'sransom, --an old Arab chief, with whom I formed a kind of friendship inthe desert. A wound disabled him from riding, and he bestowed the horseon me, with as much solemn tenderness for the gift as if he had given mehis daughter in marriage. "

"I think of travelling in the East, " said Lord Doltimore, with muchgravity: "I suppose nothing will induce you to sell the black horse?"

"Lord Doltimore!" said Maltravers, in a tone of lofty surprise. 

"I do not care for the price, " continued the young nobleman, a littledisconcerted. 

"No; I never sell any horse that has once learned to know me. I would assoon think of selling a friend. In the desert, one's horse is one'sfriend. I am almost an Arab myself in these matters. "

"But talking of sale and barter reminds me of Burleigh, " said Cleveland, maliciously. "Lord Doltimore is a universal buyer. He covets all yourgoods: he will take the house, if he can't have the stables. "

"I only mean, " said Lord Doltimore, rather peevishly, "that if you wishto part with Burleigh, I should like to have the option of purchase. "

"I will remember it, if I determine to sell the place, " answeredMaltravers, smiling gravely; "at present I am undecided. "

He turned away towards Evelyn as he spoke, and almost started to observethat she was joined by a stranger, whose approach he had not beforenoticed, --and that stranger a man of such remarkable personal advantages, that, had Maltravers been in Vargrave's position, he might reasonablyhave experienced a pang of jealous apprehension. Slightly above thecommon height; slender, yet strongly formed; set off by every advantageof dress, of air, of the nameless tone and pervading refinement thatsometimes, though not always, springs from early and habitual intercoursewith the most polished female society, --Colonel Legard, at the age ofeight and twenty, had acquired a reputation for beauty almost as popularand as well known as that which men usually acquire by mentalqualifications. Yet there was nothing effeminate in his countenance, thesymmetrical features of which were made masculine and expressive by therich olive of the complexion, and the close jetty curls of theAntinous-like hair. 

They seemed, as they there stood--Evelyn and Legard--so well suited toeach other in personal advantages, their different styles so happilycontrasted; and Legard, at the moment, was regarding her with suchrespectful admiration, and whispering compliment to her in so subdued atone, that the dullest observer might have ventured a prophecy by nomeans agreeable to the hopes of Lumley Lord Vargrave. 

But a feeling or fear of this nature was not that which occurred toMaltravers, or dictated his startled exclamation of surprise. 

Legard looked up as he heard the exclamation, and saw Maltravers, whoseback had hitherto been turned towards him. He, too, was evidentlysurprised, and seemingly confused; the colour mounted to his cheek, andthen left it pale. 

"Colonel Legard, " said Cleveland, "a thousand apologies for my neglect: Ireally did not observe you enter, --you came round by the front door, Isuppose. Let me make you acquainted with Mr. Maltravers. "

Legard bowed low. 

"We have met before, " said he, in embarrassed accents: "at Venice, Ithink!"

Maltravers inclined his head rather stiffly at first, but then, as ifmoved by a second impulse, held out his hand cordially. 

"Oh, Mr. Ernest, here you are!" cried Sophy, bounding into the hall, followed by Mr. Merton, the old admiral, Caroline, and Cecilia. 

The interruption seemed welcome and opportune. The admiral, with bluntcordiality, expressed his pleasure at being made known to Mr. Maltravers. 

The conversation grew general; refreshments were proffered and declined;the visit drew to its close. 

It so happened that as the guests departed, Evelyn, from whose side theconstant colonel had insensibly melted away, lingered last, --save, indeed, the admiral, who was discussing with Cleveland a new specific forthe gout. And as Maltravers stood on the steps, Evelyn turned to himwith all her beautiful _naivete_ of mingled timidity and kindness, andsaid, --

"And are we really never to see you again; never to hear again your talesof Egypt and Arabia; never to talk over Tasso and Dante? No books, notalk, no disputes, no quarrels? What have we done? I thought we hadmade it up, --and yet you are still unforgiving. Give me a good scold, and be friends!"

"Friends! you have no friend more anxious, more devoted than I am. Young, rich, fascinating as you are, you will carve no impression onhuman hearts deeper than that you have graven here!"

Carried away by the charm of her childlike familiarity and enchantingsweetness, Maltravers had said more than he intended; yet his eyes, hisemotion, said more than his words. 

Evelyn coloured deeply, and her whole manner changed. However, sheturned away, and saying, with a forced gayety, "Well, then, you will notdesert us; we shall see you once more?" hurried down the steps to joinher companions. 

CHAPTER V. 

 SEE how the skilful lover spreads his toils. --STILLINGFLEET. 

THE party had not long returned to the rectory, and the admiral'scarriage was ordered, when Lord Vargrave made his appearance. Hedescanted with gay good-humour on his long drive, the bad roads, and hisdisappointment at the _contretemps_ that awaited him; then, drawing asideColonel Legard, who seemed unusually silent and abstracted, he said tohim, --

"My dear colonel, my visit this morning was rather to you than toDoltimore. I confess that I should like to see your abilities enlistedon the side of the Government; and knowing that the post of Storekeeperto the Ordnance will be vacant in a day or two by the promotion of Mr. -----, I wrote to secure the refusal. To-day's post brings me theanswer. I offer the place to you; and I trust, before long, to procureyou also a seat in parliament. But you must start for Londonimmediately. "

A week ago, and Legard's utmost ambition would have been amply gratifiedby this post; he now hesitated. 

"My dear lord, " said he, "I cannot say how grateful I feel for yourkindness; but--but--"

"Enough; no thanks, my dear Legard. Can you go to town to-morrow?"

"Indeed, " said Legard, "I fear not; I must consult my uncle. "

"I can answer for him; I sounded him before I wrote. Reflect! You arenot rich, my dear Legard; it is an excellent opening: a seat inparliament, too! Why, what can be your reason for hesitation?"

There was something meaning and inquisitive in the tone of voice in whichthis question was put that brought the colour to the colonel's cheek. Heknew not well what to reply; and he began, too, to think that he oughtnot to refuse the appointment. Nay, would his uncle, on whom he wasdependent, consent to such a refusal? Lord Vargrave saw theirresolution, and proceeded. He spent ten minutes in combating everyscruple, every objection: he placed all the advantages of the post, realor imaginary, in every conceivable point of view before the colonel'seyes; he sought to flatter, to wheedle, to coax, to weary him intoaccepting it; and he at length partially succeeded. The colonelpetitioned for three days' consideration, which Vargrave reluctantlyacceded to; and Legard then stepped into his uncle's carriage, with theair rather of a martyr than a maiden placeman. 

"Aha!" said Vargrave, chuckling to himself as he took a turn in thegrounds, "I have got rid of that handsome knave; and now I shall haveEvelyn all to myself!"

CHAPTER VI. 

 I AM forfeited to eternal disgrace if you do not commiserate. . . . . . . Go to, then, raise, recover. --BEN JONSON: _Poetaster_. 

THE next morning Admiral Legard and his nephew were conversing in thelittle cabin consecrated by the name of the admiral's "own room. "

"Yes, " said the veteran, "it would be moonshine and madness not to acceptVargrave's offer; though one can see through such a millstone as thatwith half an eye. His lordship is jealous of such a fine, handsome youngfellow as you are, --and very justly. But as long as he is under the sameroof with Miss Cameron, you will have no opportunity to pay your court;when he goes, you can always manage to be in her neighbourhood; and then, you know--puppy that you are--her business will be very soon settled. "And the admiral eyed the handsome colonel with grim fondness. 

Legard sighed. 

"Have you any commands at -----?" said he; "I am just going to canterover there before Doltimore is up. "

"Sad lazy dog, your friend. "

"I shall be back by twelve. "

"What are you going to ----- for?"

"Brookes, the farrier, has a little spaniel, --King Charles's breed. MissCameron is fond of dogs. I can send it to her, with my compliments, --itwill be a sort of leave-taking. "

"Sly rogue; ha, ha, ha! d-----d sly; ha, ha!" and the admiral punched theslender waist of his nephew, and laughed till the tears ran down hischeeks. 

"Good-by, sir. "

"Stop, George; I forgot to ask you a question; you never told me you knewMr. Maltravers. Why don't you cultivate his acquaintance?"

"We met at Venice accidentally. I did not know his name then; he leftjust as I arrived. As you say, I ought to cultivate his acquaintance. "

"Fine character!"

"Very!" said Legard, with energy, as he abruptly quitted the room. 

George Legard was an orphan. His father--the admiral's elderbrother--had been a spendthrift man of fashion, with a tolerably largeunentailed estate. He married a duke's daughter without a sixpence. Estates are troublesome, --Mr. Legard's was sold. On the purchase-moneythe happy pair lived for some years in great comfort, when Mr. Legarddied of a brain fever; and his disconsolate widow found herself alone inthe world with a beautiful little curly-headed boy, and an annuity of onethousand a year, for which her settlement had been exchanged. All therest of the fortune was gone, --a discovery not made till Mr. Legard'sdeath. Lady Louisa did not long survive the loss of her husband and herstation in society; her income of course died with herself. Her onlychild was brought up in the house of his grandfather, the duke, till hewas of age to hold the office of king's page; thence, as is customary, hewas promoted to a commission in the Guards. To the munificent emolumentsof his pay, the ducal family liberally added an allowance of two hundreda year; upon which income Cornet Legard contrived to get very handsomelyin debt. The extraordinary beauty of his person, his connections, andhis manners obtained him all the celebrity that fashion can bestow; butpoverty is a bad thing. Luckily, at this time, his uncle the admiralreturned from sea, to settle for the rest of his life in England. 

Hitherto, the admiral had taken no notice of George. He himself hadmarried a merchant's daughter with a fair portion; and had been blessedwith two children, who monopolized all his affection. But there seemedsome mortality in the Legard family; in one year after returning toEngland and settling in B-----shire, the admiral found himself wifelessand childless. He then turned to his orphan nephew; and soon becamefonder of him than he had ever been of his own children. The admiral, though in easy circumstances, was not wealthy; nevertheless, he advancedthe money requisite for George's rise in the army, and doubled theallowance bestowed by the duke. His grace heard of this generosity, anddiscovered that he himself had a very large family growing up; that themarquess was going to be married, and required an increase of income;that he had already behaved most handsomely to his nephew; and the resultof this discovery was that the duke withdrew the two hundred a year. Legard, however, who looked on his uncle as an exhaustless mine, went onbreaking hearts and making debts--till one morning he woke in the Bench. The admiral was hastily summoned to London. He arrived; paid off theduns--a kindness which seriously embarrassed him--swore, scolded, andcried; and finally insisted that Legard should give up that d-----dcoxcomb regiment, in which he was now captain, retire on half-pay, andlearn economy and a change of habits on the Continent. 

The admiral, a rough but good-natured man on the whole, had two or threelittle peculiarities. In the first place, he piqued himself on a sort ofJohn Bull independence; was a bit of a Radical (a strange anomaly in anadmiral)--which was owing, perhaps, to two or three young lords havingbeen put over his head in the earlier part of his career; and he made ita point with his nephew (of whose affection he was jealous) to break withthose fine grand connections, who plunged him into a sea of extravagance, and then never threw him a rope to save him from drowning. 

In the second place, without being stingy, the admiral had a good deal ofeconomy in his disposition. He was not a man to allow his nephew to ruinhim. He had an extraordinarily old-fashioned horror of gambling, --apolite habit of George's; and he declared positively that his nephewmust, while a bachelor, learn to live upon seven hundred a year. Thirdly, the admiral could be a very stern, stubborn, passionate oldbrute; and when he coolly told George, "Harkye, you young puppy, if youget into debt again--if you exceed the very handsome allowance I makeyou--I shall just cut you off with a shilling, " George was fully awarethat his uncle was one who would rigidly keep his word. 

However, it was something to be out of debt, and one of the handsomestmen of his age; and George Legard, whose rank in the Guards made him acolonel in the line, left England tolerably contented with the state ofaffairs. 

Despite the foibles of his youth, George Legard had many high andgenerous qualities. Society had done its best to spoil a fine and candiddisposition, with abilities far above mediocrity; but society had onlypartially succeeded. Still, unhappily, dissipation had grown a habitwith him; all his talents were of a nature that brought a ready return. At his age, it was but natural that the praise of _salons_ should retainall its sweetness. 

In addition to those qualities which please the softer sex, Legard was agood whist player, superb at billiards, famous as a shot, unrivalled as ahorseman, --in fact, an accomplished man, "who did everything so devilishwell!" These accomplishments did not stand him in much stead in Italy;and, though with reluctance and remorse, he took again to gambling, --hereally _had_ nothing else to do. 

In Venice there was, one year, established a society somewhat on theprinciple of the _salon_ at Paris. Some rich Venetians belonged to it;but it was chiefly for the convenience of foreigners, --French, English, and Austrians. Here there was select gaming in one room, while anotherapartment served the purposes of a club. Many who never played belongedto this society; but still they were not the _habitues_. 

Legard played: he won at first, then he lost, then he won again; it was apleasant excitement. One night, after winning largely at _roulette_, hesat down to play _ecarte_ with a Frenchman of high rank. Legard playedwell at this, as at all scientific games; he thought he should make afortune out of the Frenchman. The game excited much interest; the crowdgathered round the table; bets ran high; the vanity of Legard, as well ashis interest, was implicated in the conflict. It was soon evident thatthe Frenchman played as well as the Englishman. The stakes, at firsttolerably high, were doubled. Legard betted freely. Cards went againsthim; he lost much, lost all that he had, lost more than he had, lostseveral hundreds, which he promised to pay the next morning. The tablewas broken up, the spectators separated. Amongst the latter had been oneEnglishman, introduced into the club for the first time that night. Hehad neither played nor betted, but had observed the game with a quiet andwatchful interest. This Englishman lodged at the same hotel as Legard. He was at Venice only for a day; the promised sight of a file of Englishnewspapers had drawn him to the club; the general excitement around hadattracted him to the table; and once there, the spectacle of humanemotions exercised its customary charm. 

On ascending the stairs that conducted to his apartment, the Englishmanheard a deep groan in a room the door of which was ajar. He paused, thesound was repeated; he gently pushed open the door and saw Legard seatedby a table, while a glass on the opposite wall reflected his working andconvulsed countenance, with his hands trembling visibly, as they took abrace of pistols from the case. 

The Englishman recognized the loser at the club; and at once divined theact that his madness or his despair dictated. Legard twice took up oneof the pistols, and twice laid it down irresolute; the third time he rosewith a start, raised the weapon to his head, and the next moment it waswrenched from his grasp. 

"Sit down, sir!" said the stranger, in a loud and commanding voice. 

Legard, astonished and abashed, sank once more into his seat, and staredsullenly and half-unconsciously at his countryman. 

"You have lost your money, " said the Englishman, after calmly replacingthe pistols in their case, which he locked, putting the key into hispocket; "and that is misfortune enough for one night. If you had won, and ruined your opponent, you would be excessively happy, and go to bed, thinking Good Luck (which is the representative of Providence) watchedover you. For my part, I think you ought to be very thankful that youare not the winner. "

"Sir, " said Legard, recovering from his surprise, and beginning to feelresentment, "I do not understand this intrusion in my apartments. Youhave saved me, it is true, from death, --but life is a worse curse. "

"Young man, no! moments in life are agony, but life itself is a blessing. Life is a mystery that defies all calculation. You can never say, 'To-day is wretched, therefore to-morrow must be the same!' And for theloss of a little gold you, in the full vigour of youth, with all thefuture before you, will dare to rush into the chances of eternity! You, who have never, perhaps, thought what eternity is! Yet, " added thestranger, in a soft and melancholy voice, "you are young andbeautiful, --perhaps the pride and hope of others! Have you no tie, noaffection, no kindred; are you lord of yourself?"

Legard was moved by the tone of the stranger, as well as by the words. 

"It is not the loss of money, " said he, gloomily, --"it is the loss ofhonour. To-morrow I must go forth a shunned and despised man, --I, agentleman and a soldier! They may insult me--and I have no reply!"

The Englishman seemed to muse, for his brow lowered, and he made noanswer. Legard threw himself back, overcome with his own excitement, andwept like a child. The stranger, who imagined himself above theindulgence of emotion (vain man!), woke from his revery at this burst ofpassion. He gazed at first (I grieve to write) with a curl of thehaughty lip that had in it contempt; but it passed quickly away; and thehard man remembered that he too had been young and weak, and his ownerrors greater perhaps than those of the one he had ventured to despise. He walked to and fro the room, still without speaking. At last heapproached the gamester, and took his hand. 

"What is your debt?" he asked gently. 

"What matters it?--more than I can pay. "

"If life is a trust, so is wealth: _you_ have the first in charge forothers, _I_ may have the last. What is the debt?"

Legard started; it was a strong struggle between shame and hope. "If Icould borrow it, I could repay it hereafter, --I know I could; I would notthink of it otherwise. "

"Very well, so be it, --I will lend you the money on one condition. Solemnly promise me, on your faith as a soldier and a gentleman, that youwill not, for ten years to come--even if you grow rich, and can ruinothers--touch card or dice-box. Promise me that you will shun all gamingfor gain, under whatever disguise, whatever appellation. I will takeyour word as my bond. "

Legard, overjoyed, and scarcely trusting his senses, gave the promise. 

"Sleep then, to-night, in hope and assurance of the morrow, " said theEnglishman: "let this event be an omen to you, that while there is afuture there is no despair. One word more, --I do not want your thanks!it is easy to be generous at the expense of justice. Perhaps I have beenso now. This sum, which is to save your life--a life you so littlevalue--might have blessed fifty human beings, --better men than either thegiver or receiver. What is given to error may perhaps be a wrong tovirtue. When you would ask others to support a career of blind andselfish extravagance, pause and think over the breadless lips this wastedgold would have fed! the joyless hearts it would have comforted! Youtalk of repaying me: if the occasion offer, do so; if not--if we nevermeet again, and you have it in your power, pay it for me to the Poor!And now, farewell. "

"Stay, --give me the name of my preserver! Mine is--"

"Hush! what matter names? This is a sacrifice we have both made tohonour. You will sooner recover your self-esteem (and withoutself-esteem there is neither faith nor honour), when you think that yourfamily, your connections, are spared all association with your own error;that I may hear them spoken of, that I may mix with them without fancyingthat they owe me gratitude. "

"Your own name then?" said Legard, deeply penetrated with the delicategenerosity of his benefactor. 

"Tush!" muttered the stranger impatiently as he closed the door. 

The next morning when he awoke Legard saw upon the table a small packet;it contained a sum that exceeded the debt named. 

On the envelope was written, "Remember the bond. "

The stranger had already quitted Venice. He had not travelled throughthe Italian cities under his own name, for he had just returned from thesolitudes of the East, and was not yet hardened to the publicity of thegossip which in towns haunted by his countrymen attended a well-knownname; that given to Legard by the innkeeper, mutilated by Italianpronunciation, the young man had never heard before, and soon forgot. Hepaid his debts, and he scrupulously kept his word. The adventure of thatnight went far, indeed, to reform and ennoble the mind and habits ofGeorge Legard. Time passed, and he never met his benefactor, till in thehalls of Burleigh he recognized the stranger in Maltravers. 

CHAPTER VII. 

 WHY value, then, that strength of mind they boast, As often varying, and as often lost?

 HAWKINS BROWNE (translated by SOAME JENYNS). 

MALTRAVERS was lying at length, with his dogs around him, under abeech-tree that threw its arms over one of the calm still pieces of waterthat relieved the groves of Burleigh, when Colonel Legard spied him fromthe bridle-road which led through the park to the house. The coloneldismounted, threw the rein over his arm; and at the sound of the hoofsMaltravers turned, saw the visitor, and rose. He held out his hand toLegard, and immediately began talking of indifferent matters. 

Legard was embarrassed; but his nature was not one to profit by thesilence of a benefactor. "Mr. Maltravers, " said he, with gracefulemotion, "though you have not yet allowed me an opportunity to allude toit, do not think I am ungrateful for the service you rendered me. "

Maltravers looked grave, but made no reply. Legard resumed, with aheightened colour, --

"I cannot say how I regret that it is not yet in my power to discharge mydebt; but--"

"When it is, you will do so. Pray think no more of it. Are you going tothe rectory?"

"No, not this morning; in fact, I leave B-----shire tomorrow. Pleasantfamily, the Mertons. "

"And Miss Cameron--"

"Is certainly beautiful, --and very rich. How could she ever think ofmarrying Lord Vargrave, so much older, --she who could have so manyadmirers?"

"Not, surely, while betrothed to another?"

This was a refinement which Legard, though an honourable man as men go, did not quite understand. "Oh, " said he, "that was by some eccentric oldrelation, --her father-in-law, I think. Do you think she is bound by suchan engagement?"

Maltravers made no reply, but amused himself by throwing a stick into thewater, and sending one of his dogs after it. Legard looked on, and hisaffectionate disposition yearned to make advances which something distantin the manner of Maltravers chilled and repelled. 

When Legard was gone, Maltravers followed him with his eyes. "And thisis the man whom Cleveland thinks Evelyn could love! I could forgive hermarrying Vargrave. Independently of the conscientious feeling that maybelong to the engagement, Vargrave has wit, talent, intellect; and thisman has nothing but the skin of the panther. Was I wrong to save him?No. Every human life, I suppose, has its uses. But Evelyn--I coulddespise her if her heart was the fool of the eye!"

These comments were most unjust to Legard; but they were just of thatkind of injustice which the man of talent often commits against the manof external advantages, and which the latter still more often retaliateson the man of talent. As Maltravers thus soliloquized, he was accostedby Mr. Cleveland. 

"Come, Ernest, you must not cut these unfortunate Mertons any longer. Ifyou continue to do so, do you know what Mrs. Hare and the world willsay?"

"No--what?"

"That you have been refused by Miss Merton. "

"That _would_ be a calumny!" said Ernest, smiling. 

"Or that you are hopelessly in love with Miss Cameron. "

Maltravers started; his proud heart swelled; he pulled his hat over hisbrows, and said, after a short pause, --

"Well, Mrs. Hare and the world must not have it all their own way; andso, whenever you go to the rectory, take me with you. "

CHAPTER VIII. 

 THE more he strove To advance his suit, the farther from her love. 

 DRYDEN: _Theodore and Honoria_. 

THE line of conduct which Vargrave now adopted with regard to Evelyn wascraftily conceived and carefully pursued. He did not hazard a singlesyllable which might draw on him a rejection of his claims; but at thesame time no lover could be more constant, more devoted, in attentions. In the presence of others, there was an air of familiar intimacy thatseemed to arrogate a right, which to her he scrupulously shunned toassert. Nothing could be more respectful, nay, more timid, than hislanguage, or more calmly confident than his manner. Not having muchvanity, nor any very acute self-conceit, he did not delude himself intothe idea of winning Evelyn's affections; he rather sought to entangle herjudgment, to weave around her web upon web, --not the less dangerous forbeing invisible. He took the compact as a matter of course, as somethingnot to be broken by any possible chance; her hand was to be his as aright: it was her heart that he so anxiously sought to gain. But thisdistinction was so delicately drawn, and insisted upon so little in anytangible form, that, whatever Evelyn's wishes for an understanding, amuch more experienced woman would have been at a loss to ripen one. 

Evelyn longed to confide in Caroline, to consult her; but Caroline, though still kind, had grown distant. "I wish, " said Evelyn, one nightas she sat in Caroline's dressing-room, --"I wish that I knew what tone totake with Lord Vargrave. I feel more and more convinced that a unionbetween us is impossible; and yet, precisely because he does not pressit, am I unable to tell him so. I wish you could undertake that task;you seem such friends with him. "

"I!" said Caroline, changing countenance. 

"Yes, you! Nay, do not blush, or I shall think you envy me. Could younot save us both from the pain that otherwise must come sooner or later?"

"Lord Vargrave would not thank me for such an act of friendship. Besides, Evelyn, consider, --it is scarcely possible to break off thisengagement _now_. "

"_Now_! and why now?" said Evelyn, astonished. 

"The world believes it so implicitly. Observe, whoever sits next yourises if Lord Vargrave approaches; the neighbourhood talk of nothing elsebut your marriage; and your fate, Evelyn, is not pitied. "

"I will leave this place! I will go back to the cottage! I cannot bearthis!" said Evelyn, passionately wringing her hands. 

"You do not love another, I am sure: not young Mr. Hare, with his greencoat and straw-coloured whiskers; or Sir Henry Foxglove, with hishow-d'ye-do like a view-halloo; perhaps, indeed, Colonel Legard, --he ishandsome. What! do you blush at his name? No; you say 'not Legard:' whoelse is there?"

"You are cruel; you trifle with me!" said Evelyn, in tearful reproach;and she rose to go to her own room. 

"My dear girl!" said Caroline, touched by her evident pain; "learn fromme--if I may say so--that marriages are _not_ made in heaven! Yours willbe as fortunate as earth can bestow. A love-match is usually the leasthappy of all. Our foolish sex demand so much in love; and love, afterall, is but one blessing among many. Wealth and rank remain when love isbut a heap of ashes. For my part, I have chosen my destiny and myhusband. "

"Your husband!"

"Yes, you see him in Lord Doltimore. I dare say we shall be as happy asany amorous Corydon and Phyllis. " But there was irony in Caroline'svoice as she spoke; and she sighed heavily. Evelyn did not believe herserious; and the friends parted for the night. 

"Mine is a strange fate!" said Caroline to herself; "I am asked by theman whom I love, and who professes to love me, to bestow myself onanother, and to plead for him to a younger and fairer bride. Well, Iwill obey him in the first; the last is a bitterer task, and I cannotperform it earnestly. Yet Vargrave has a strange power over me; and whenI look round the world, I see that he is right. In these mostcommonplace artifices, there is yet a wild majesty that charms andfascinates me. It is something to rule the world: and his and mine arenatures formed to do so. "

CHAPTER IX. 

 A SMOKE raised with the fume of sighs. 

 _Romeo and Juliet_. 

IT is certain that Evelyn experienced for Maltravers sentiments which, ifnot love, might easily be mistaken for it. But whether it were thatmaster-passion, or merely its fanciful resemblance, --love in early youthand innocent natures, if of sudden growth, is long before it makes itselfapparent. Evelyn had been prepared to feel an interest in her solitaryneighbour. His mind, as developed in his works, had half-formed her own. Her childish adventure with the stranger had never been forgotten. Herpresent knowledge of Maltravers was an union of dangerous and oftenopposite associations, --the Ideal and the Real. 

Love, in its first dim and imperfect shape, is but imaginationconcentrated on one object. It is a genius of the heart, resembling thatof the intellect; it appeals to, it stirs up, it evokes, the sentimentsand sympathies that lie most latent in our nature. Its sigh is thespirit that moves over the ocean, and arouses the Anadyomene into life. Therefore is it that MIND produces affections deeper than those ofexternal form; therefore it is that women are worshippers of glory, whichis the palpable and visible representative of a genius whose operationsthey cannot always comprehend. Genius has so much in common with love, the imagination that animates one is so much the property of the other, that there is not a surer sign of the existence of genius than the lovethat it creates and bequeaths. It penetrates deeper than the reason, itbinds a nobler captive than the fancy. As the sun upon the dial, itgives to the human heart both its shadow and its light. Nations are itsworshippers and wooers; and Posterity learns from its oracles to dream, to aspire, to adore!

Had Maltravers declared the passion that consumed him, it is probablethat it would soon have kindled a return. But his frequent absence, hissustained distance of manner, had served to repress the feelings that ina young and virgin heart rarely flow with much force until they areinvited and aroused. _Le besoin d'aimer_ in girls, is, perhaps, initself powerful; but is fed by another want, _le besoin d'etre aime_!_If_, therefore, Evelyn at present felt love for Maltravers, the love hadcertainly not passed into the core of life: the tree had not so farstruck its roots but what it might have borne transplanting. There wasin her enough of the pride of sex to have recoiled from the thought ofgiving love to one who had not asked the treasure. Capable ofattachment, more trustful and therefore, if less vehement, more beautifuland durable than that which had animated the brief tragedy of FlorenceLascelles, she could not have been the unknown correspondent, or revealedthe soul, because the features wore a mask. 

It must also be allowed that, in some respects, Evelyn was too young andinexperienced thoroughly to appreciate all that was most truly lovableand attractive in Maltravers. At four and twenty she would, perhaps, have felt no fear mingled with her respect for him; but seventeen and sixand thirty is a wide interval! She never felt that there was thatdifference in years until she had met Legard, and then at once shecomprehended it. With Legard she had moved on equal terms; he was nottoo wise, too high for her every-day thoughts. He less excited herimagination, less attracted her reverence. But, somehow or other, thatvoice which proclaimed her power, those eyes which never turned fromhers, went nearer to her heart. As Evelyn had once said to Caroline, "Itwas a great enigma!"--her own feelings were a mystery to her, and shereclined by the "Golden Waterfalls" without tracing her likeness in theglass of the pool below. 

Maltravers appeared again at the rectory. He joined their parties byday, and his evenings were spent with them as of old. In this I know notprecisely what were his motives--perhaps he did not know them himself. It might be that his pride was roused; it might be that he could notendure the notion that Lord Vargrave should guess his secret by anabsence almost otherwise unaccountable, --he could not patiently bear togive Vargrave that triumph; it might be that, in the sternness of hisself-esteem, he imagined he had already conquered all save affectionateinterest in Evelyn's fate, and trusted too vainly to his own strength;and it might be, also, that he could not resist the temptation of seeingif Evelyn were contented with her lot, and if Vargrave were worthy of theblessing that awaited him. Whether one of these or all united made himresolve to brave his danger, or whether, after all, he yielded to aweakness, or consented to what--invited by Evelyn herself--was almost asocial necessity, the reader and not the narrator shall decide. 

Legard was gone; but Doltimore remained in the neighbourhood, havinghired a hunting-box not far from Sir John Merton's manors, over which heeasily obtained permission to sport. When he did not dine elsewhere, there was always a place for him at the parson's hospitable board, --andthat place was generally next to Caroline. Mr. And Mrs. Merton had givenup all hope of Mr. Maltravers for their eldest daughter; and, verystrangely, this conviction came upon their minds on the first day theymade the acquaintance of the young lord. 

"My dear, " said the rector, as he was winding up his watch, preparatoryto entering the connubial couch, --"my dear, I don't think Mr. Maltraversis a marrying man. "

"I was just going to make the same remark, " said Mrs. Merton, drawing theclothes over her. "Lord Doltimore is a very fine young man, his estatesunencumbered. I like him vastly, my love. He is evidently smitten withCaroline: so Lord Vargrave and Mrs. Hare said. "

"Sensible, shrewd woman, Mrs. Hare. By the by, we'll send her apineapple. Caroline was made to be a woman of rank!"

"Quite; so much self-possession!"

"And if Mr. Maltravers would sell or let Burleigh--"

"It would be so pleasant!"

"Had you not better give Caroline a hint?"

"My love, she is so sensible, let her go her own way. "

"You are right, my dear Betsy; I shall always say that no one has morecommon-sense than you; you have brought up your children admirably!"

"Dear Charles!"

"It is coldish to-night, love, " said the rector; and he put out thecandle. 

From that time, it was not the fault of Mr. And Mrs. Merton if LordDoltimore did not find their house the pleasantest in the county. 

One evening the rectory party were assembled together in the cheerfuldrawing-room. Cleveland, Mr. Merton, Sir John, and Lord Vargrave, reluctantly compelled to make up the fourth, were at the whist-table;Evelyn, Caroline, and Lord Doltimore were seated round the fire, and Mrs. Merton was working a footstool. The fire burned clear, the curtains weredown, the children in bed: it was a family picture of elegant comfort. 

Mr. Maltravers was announced. 

"I am glad you are come at last, " said Caroline, holding out her fairhand. "Mr. Cleveland could not answer for you. We are all disputing asto which mode of life is the happiest. "

"And your opinion?" asked Maltravers, seating himself in the vacantchair, --it chanced to be next to Evelyn's. 

"My opinion is decidedly in favour of London. A metropolitan life, withits perpetual and graceful excitements, --the best music, the bestcompanions, the best things in short. Provincial life is so dull, itspleasures so tiresome; to talk over the last year's news, and wear outone's last year's dresses, cultivate a conservatory, and play Pope Joanwith a young party, --dreadful!"

"I agree with Miss Merton, " said Lord Doltimore, solemnly; not but what Ilike the country for three or four months in the year, with good shootingand hunting, and a large house properly filled, independent of one's ownneighbourhood: but if I am condemned to choose one place to live in, giveme Paris. "

"Ah, Paris; I never was in Paris. I should so like to travel!" saidCaroline. 

"But the inns abroad are so very bad, " said Lord Doltimore; "how peoplecan rave about Italy, I can't think. I never suffered so much in my lifeas I did in Calabria; and at Venice I was bit to death by mosquitoes. Nothing like Paris, I assure you: don't you think so, Mr. Maltravers?"

"Perhaps I shall be able to answer you better in a short time. I thinkof accompanying Mr. Cleveland to Paris!"

"Indeed!" said Caroline. "Well, I envy you; but is it a suddenresolution?"

"Not very. "

"Do you stay long?" asked Lord Doltimore. 

"My stay is uncertain. "

"And you won't let Burleigh in the meanwhile?"

"_Let_ Burleigh? No; if it once pass from my hands it will be forever!"

Maltravers spoke gravely, and the subject was changed. Lord Doltimorechallenged Caroline to chess. 

They sat down, and Lord Doltimore arranged the pieces. 

"Sensible man, Mr. Maltravers, " said the young lord; "but I don't hit itoff with him: Vargrave is more agreeable. Don't you think so?"

"Y-e-s. "

"Lord Vargrave is very kind to me, --I never remember any one being moreso; got Legard that appointment solely because it would please me, --veryfriendly fellow! I mean to put myself under his wing next session!"

"You could not do better, I'm sure, " said Caroline; "he is so much lookedup to; I dare say he will be prime minister one of these days. "

"I take the bishop:--do you think so really?--you are rather apolitician?"

"Oh, no; not much of that. But my father and my uncle are stanchpoliticians; gentlemen know so much more than ladies. We should alwaysgo by their opinions. I think I will take the queen's pawn--yourpolitics are the same as Lord Vargrave's?"

"Yes, I fancy so: at least I shall leave my proxy with him. Glad youdon't like politics, --great bore. "

"Why, so young, so connected as you are--" Caroline stopped short, andmade a wrong move. 

"I wish we were going to Paris together, we should enjoy it so;" and LordDoltimore's knight checked the tower and queen. 

Caroline coughed, and stretched her hand quickly to move. 

"Pardon me, you will lose the game if you do so!" and Doltimore placedhis hand on hers, their eyes met, Caroline turned away, and LordDoltimore settled his right collar. 

"And is it true? are you really going to leave us?" said Evelyn, and shefelt very sad. But still the sadness might not be that of love, --she hadfelt sad after Legard had gone. 

"I do not think I shall long stay away, " said Maltravers, trying to speakindifferently. "Burleigh has become more dear to me than it was inearlier youth; perhaps because I have made myself duties there: and inother places I am but an isolated and useless unit in the great mass. "

"You! everywhere, you must have occupations and resources, --everywhere, you must find yourself not alone. But you will not go yet?"

"Not yet--no. [Evelyn's spirits rose. ] Have you read the book I sentyou?" (It was one of De Stael's. )

"Yes; but it disappoints me. "

"And why? It is eloquent. "

"But is it true? Is there so much melancholy in life? Are theaffections so full of bitterness? For me, I am so happy when with thoseI love! When I am with my mother, the air seems more fragrant, the skiesmore blue: it is surely not affection, but the absence of it, that makesus melancholy. "

"Perhaps so; but if we had never known affection, we might not miss it:and the brilliant Frenchwoman speaks from memory, while you speak fromhope, --memory, which is the ghost of joy: yet surely, even in theindulgence of affection, there is at times a certain melancholy, acertain fear. Have you never felt it, even with--with your mother?"

"Ah, yes! when she suffered, or when I have thought she loved me lessthan I desired. "

"That must have been an idle and vain thought. Your mother! does sheresemble you?"

"I wish I could think so. Oh, if you knew her! I have longed so oftenthat you were acquainted with each other! It was she who taught me tosing your songs. "

"My dear Mrs. Hare, we may as well throw up our cards, " said the keenclear voice of Lord Vargrave: "you have played most admirably, and I knowthat your last card will be the ace of trumps; still the luck is againstus. "

"No, no; pray play it out, my lord. "

"Quite useless, ma'am, " said Sir John, showing two honours. "We haveonly the trick to make. "

"Quite useless, " echoed Lumley, tossing down his sovereigns, and risingwith a careless yawn. 

"How d'ye do, Maltravers?"

Maltravers rose; and Vargrave turned to Evelyn, and addressed her in awhisper. The proud Maltravers walked away, and suppressed a sigh; amoment more, and he saw Lord Vargrave occupying the chair he had leftvacant. He laid his hand on Cleveland's shoulder. 

"The carriage is waiting, --are you ready?"

CHAPTER X. 

 OBSCURIS vera involvens. *--VIRGIL. 

 * "Wrapping truth in obscurity. "

A DAY or two after the date of the last chapter, Evelyn and Caroline wereriding out with Lord Vargrave and Mr. Merton, and on returning home theypassed through the village of Burleigh. 

"Maltravers, I suppose, has an eye to the county one of these days, " saidLord Vargrave, who honestly fancied that a man's eyes were alwaysdirected towards something for his own interest or advancement;"otherwise he could not surely take all this trouble about workhouses andpaupers. Who could ever have imagined my romantic friend would sink intoa country squire?"

"It is astonishing what talent and energy he throws into everything heattempts, " said the parson. "One could not, indeed, have supposed that aman of genius could make a man of business. "

"Flattering to your humble servant--whom all the world allow to be thelast, and deny to be the first. But your remark shows what a sadpossession genius is: like the rest of the world, you fancy that itcannot be of the least possible use. If a man is called a genius, itmeans that he is to be thrust out of all the good things in this life. He is not fit for anything but a garret! Put a _genius_ into office!make a _genius_ a bishop! or a lord chancellor!--the world would beturned topsy-turvy! You see that you are quite astonished that a geniuscan be even a county magistrate, and know the difference between a spadeand a poker! In fact, a genius is supposed to be the most ignorant, impracticable, good-for-nothing, do-nothing sort of thing that everwalked upon two legs. Well, when I began life I took excellent care thatnobody should take _me_ for a genius; and it is only within the last yearor two that I ventured to emerge a little out of my shell. I have notbeen the better for it; I was getting on faster while I was merely aplodder. The world is so fond of that droll fable, the hare and thetortoise, --it really believes because (I suppose the fable to be true!) atortoise _once_ beat a hare that all tortoises are much better runnersthan hares possibly can be. Mediocre men have the monopoly of the loavesand fishes; and even when talent does rise in life, it is a talent whichonly differs from mediocrity by being more energetic and bustling. "

"You are bitter, Lord Vargrave, " said Caroline, laughing; "yet surely youhave had no reason to complain of the non-appreciation of talent?"

"Humph! if I had had a grain more talent I should have been crushed byit. There is a subtle allegory in the story of the lean poet, who put_lead_ in his pocket to prevent being blown away! 'Mais a nosmoutons, '--to return to Maltravers. Let us suppose that he was merelyclever, had not had a particle of what is called genius, been merely ahardworking able gentleman, of good character and fortune, he might behalf-way up the hill by this time; whereas now, what is he? Less beforethe public than he was at twenty-eight, --a discontented anchorite, ameditative idler. "

"No, not that, " said Evelyn, warmly, and then checked herself. 

Lord Vargrave looked at her sharply; but his knowledge of life told himthat Legard was a much more dangerous rival than Maltravers. Now andthen, it is true, a suspicion to the contrary crossed him; but it did nottake root and become a serious apprehension. Still, be did not quitelike the tone of voice in which Evelyn had put her abrupt negative, andsaid, with a slight sneer, --

"If not that, what is he?"

"One who purchased by the noblest exertions the right to be idle, " saidEvelyn with spirit; "and whom genius itself will not suffer to be idlelong. "

"Besides, " said Mr. Merton, "he has won a high reputation, which hecannot lose merely by not seeking to increase it. "

"Reputation! Oh, yes! we give men like that--men of genius--a largeproperty in the clouds, in order to justify ourselves in pushing them outof our way below. But if they are contented with fame, why, they deservetheir fate. Hang fame, --give me power. "

"And is there no power in genius?" said Evelyn, with deepening fervour;"no power over the mind, and the heart, and the thought; no power overits own time, over posterity, over nations yet uncivilized, races yetunborn?"

This burst from one so simple and young as Evelyn seemed to Vargrave sosurprising that he stared on her without saying a word. 

"You will laugh at my championship, " she added, with a blush and a smile;"but you provoked the encounter. "

"And you have won the battle, " said Vargrave, with prompt gallantry. "Mycharming ward, every day develops in you some new gift of nature!"

Caroline, with a movement of impatience, put her horse into a canter. 

Just at this time, from a cross-road, emerged a horseman, --it wasMaltravers. The party halted, salutations were exchanged. 

"I suppose you have been enjoying the sweet business of squiredom, " saidVargrave, gayly: "Atticus and his farm, --classical associations!Charming weather for the agriculturists, eh! What news about corn andbarley? I suppose our English habit of talking on the weather arose whenwe were all a squirearchal farming, George-the-Third kind of people!Weather is really a serious matter to gentlemen who are interested inbeans and vetches, wheat and hay. You hang your happiness upon thechanges of the moon!"

"As you upon the smiles of a minister. The weather of a court is morecapricious than that of the skies, --at least we are better husbandmenthan you who sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. "

"Well retorted: and really, when I look round, I am half inclined to envyyou. Were I not Vargrave, I would be Maltravers. "

It was, indeed, a scene that seemed quiet and serene, with the Englishunion of the feudal and the pastoral life, --the village-green, with itstrim scattered cottages; the fields and pastures that spread beyond; theturf of the park behind, broken by the shadows of the unequal grounds, with its mounds and hollows and venerable groves, from which rose theturrets of the old Hall, its mullion windows gleaming in the western sun;a scene that preached tranquillity and content, and might have beenequally grateful to humble philosophy and hereditary pride. 

"I never saw any place so peculiar in its character as Burleigh, " saidthe rector; "the old seats left to us in England are chiefly those of ourgreat nobles. It is so rare to see one that does not aspire beyond theresidence of a private gentleman preserve all the relics of the Tudorage. "

"I think, " said Vargrave, turning to Evelyn, "that as by my uncle's willyour fortune is to be laid out in the purchase of land, we could not finda better investment than Burleigh. So, whenever you are inclined tosell, Maltravers, I think we must outbid Doltimore. What say you, myfair ward?"

"Leave Burleigh in peace, I beseech you!" said Maltravers, angrily. 

"That is said like a Digby, " returned Vargrave. "_Allons_!--will you notcome home with us?"

"I thank you, --not to-day. "

"We meet at Lord Raby's next Thursday. It is a ball given almost whollyin honour of your return to Burleigh; we are all going, --it is my youngcousin's _debut_ at Knaresdean. We have all an interest in herconquests. "

Now, as Maltravers looked up to answer, he caught Evelyn's glance, andhis voice faltered. 

"Yes, " he said, "we shall meet--once again. Adieu!" He wheeled roundhis horse, and they separated. 

"I can bear this no more, " said Maltravers to himself; "I overrated mystrength. To see her thus, day after day, and to know her another's, towrithe beneath his calm, unconscious assertion of his rights! HappyVargrave!--and yet, ah! will _she_ be happy? Oh, could I think so!"

Thus soliloquizing, he suffered the rein to fall on the neck of hishorse, which paced slowly home through the village, till it stopped--asif in the mechanism of custom--at the door of a cottage a stone's throwfrom the lodge. At this door, indeed, for several successive days, hadMaltravers stopped regularly; it was now tenanted by the poor woman hisintroduction to whom has been before narrated. She had recovered fromthe immediate effects of the injury she had sustained; but herconstitution, greatly broken by previous suffering and exhaustion, hadreceived a mortal shock. She was hurt inwardly; and the surgeon informedMaltravers that she had not many months to live. He had placed her underthe roof of one of his favourite cottagers, where she received all theassistance and alleviation that careful nursing and medical advice couldgive her. 

This poor woman, whose name was Sarah Elton, interested Maltravers much. She had known better days: there was a certain propriety in herexpressions which denoted an education superior to her circumstances; andwhat touched Maltravers most, she seemed far more to feel her husband'sdeath than her own sufferings, --which, somehow or other, is not commonwith widows the other side of forty! We say that youth easily consolesitself for the robberies of the grave, --middle age is a still betterself-comforter. When Mrs. Elton found herself installed in the cottage, she looked round, and burst into tears. 

"And William is not here!" she said. "Friends--friends! if we had hadbut one such friend before he died!"

Maltravers was pleased that her first thought was rather that of sorrowfor the dead than of gratitude for the living. Yet Mrs. Elton wasgrateful, --simply, honestly, deeply grateful; her manner, her voice, betokened it. And she seemed so glad when her benefactor called to speakkindly and inquire cordially, that Maltravers did so constantly; at firstfrom a compassionate and at last from a selfish motive--for who is notpleased to give pleasure? And Maltravers had so few in the world to carefor him, that perhaps he was flattered by the grateful respect of thishumble stranger. 

When his horse stopped, the cottager's daughter opened the door andcourtesied, --it was an invitation to enter; and he threw his rein overthe paling and walked into the cottage. 

Mrs. Elton, who had been seated by the open casement, rose to receivehim. But Maltravers made her sit down, and soon put her at her ease. The woman and her daughter who occupied the cottage retired into thegarden, and Mrs. Elton, watching them withdraw, then exclaimedabruptly, --

"Oh, sir, I have so longed to see you this morning! I so long to makebold to ask you whether, indeed, I dreamed it--or did I, when you firsttook me to your house--did I see--" She stopped abruptly; and though shestrove to suppress her emotion, it was too strong for her efforts, --shesank back on her chair, pale as death, and almost gasped for breath. 

Maltravers waited in surprise for her recovery. 

"I beg pardon, sir, --I was thinking of days long past; and--but I wishedto ask whether, when I lay in your hall, almost insensible, any onebesides yourself and your servants were present?---or was it"--added thewoman, with a shudder--"was it the dead?"

"I remember, " said Maltravers, much struck and interested in her questionand manner, "that a lady was present. "

"It is so! it is so!" cried the woman, half rising and clasping herhands. "And she passed by this cottage a little time ago; her veil wasthrown aside as she turned that fair young face towards the cottage. Hername, sir, --oh, what is her name? It was the same--the same face thatshone across me in that hour of pain! I did not dream! I was not mad!"

"Compose yourself; you could never, I think, have seen that lady before. Her name is Cameron. "

"Cameron--Cameron!" The woman shook her head mournfully. "No; that nameis strange to me. And her mother, sir, --she is dead?"

"No; her mother lives. "

A shade came over the face of the sufferer; and she said, after apause, --

"My eyes deceive me then, sir; and, indeed, I feel that my head istouched, and I wander sometimes. But the likeness was so great; yet thatyoung lady is even lovelier!"

"Likenesses are very deceitful and very capricious, and depend more onfancy than reality. One person discovers a likeness between faces mostdissimilar, --a likeness invisible to others. But who does Miss Cameronresemble?"

"One now dead, sir; dead many years ago. But it is a long story, and onethat lies heavy on my conscience. Some day or other, if you will give meleave, sir, I will unburden myself to you. "

"If I can assist you in anyway, command me. Meanwhile, have you nofriends, no relations, no children, whom you would wish to see?"

"Children!--no, sir; I never had but one child of _my own_ (she laid anemphasis on the last words), and that died in a foreign land. "

"And no other relatives?"

"None, sir. My history is very short and simple. I was well broughtup, --an only child. My father was a small farmer; he died when I wassixteen, and I went into service with a kind old lady and her daughter, who treated me more as a companion than a servant. I was a vain, giddygirl, then, sir. A young man, the son of a neighbouring farmer, courtedme, and I was much attached to him; but neither of us had money, and hisparents would not give their consent to our marrying. I was silly enoughto think that, if William loved me, he should have braved all; and hisprudence mortified me, so I married another whom I did not love. I wasrightly punished, for he ill-used me and took to drinking; I returned tomy old service to escape from him--for I was with child, and my life wasin danger from his violence. He died suddenly, and in debt. And then, afterwards, a gentleman--a rich gentleman--to whom I rendered a service(do not misunderstand me, sir, if I say the service was one of which Irepent), gave me money, and made me rich enough to marry my first lover;and William and I went to America. We lived many years in New York uponour little fortune comfortably; and I was a long while happy, for I hadalways loved William dearly. My first affliction was the death of mychild by my first husband; but I was soon roused from my grief. Williamschemed and speculated, as everybody does in America, and so we lost all;and William was weakly and could not work. At length he got the place ofsteward on board a vessel from New York to Liverpool, and I was taken toassist in the cabin. We wanted to come to London; I thought my oldbenefactor might do something for us, though he had never answered theletters I sent to him. But poor William fell ill on board, and died insight of land. "

Mrs. Elton wept bitterly, but with the subdued grief of one to whom tearshave been familiar; and when she recovered, she soon brought her humbletale to an end. She herself, incapacitated from all work by sorrow and abreaking constitution, was left in the streets of Liverpool without othermeans of subsistence than the charitable contributions of the passengersand sailors on board the vessel. With this sum she had gone to London, where she found her old patron had been long since dead, and she had noclaims on his family. She had, on quitting England, left one relationsettled in a town in the North; thither she now repaired, to find herlast hope wrecked; the relation also was dead and gone. Her money wasnow spent, and she had begged her way along the road, or through thelanes, she scarce knew whither, till the accident which, in shorteningher life, had raised up a friend for its close. 

"And such, sir, " said she in conclusion, "such has been the story of mylife, except one part of it, which, if I get stronger, I can tell better;but you will excuse that now. "

"And are you comfortable and contented, my poor friend? These people arekind to you?"

"Oh, so kind! And every night we all pray for you, sir; you ought to behappy, if the blessings of the poor can avail the rich. "

Maltravers remounted his horse, and sought his home; and his heart waslighter than before he entered that cottage. But at evening Clevelandtalked of Vargrave and Evelyn, and the good fortune of the one, and thecharms of the other; and the wound, so well concealed, bled afresh. 

"I heard from De Montaigne the other day, " said Ernest, just as they wereretiring for the night, "and his letter decides my movements. If youwill accept me, then, as a travelling companion, I will go with you toParis. Have you made up your mind to leave Burleigh on Saturday?"

"Yes; that gives us a day to recover from Lord Raby's ball. I am sodelighted at your offer! We need only stay a day or so in town. Theexcursion will do you good, ---your spirits, my dear Ernest, seem moredejected than when you first returned to England: you live too much alonehere; you will enjoy Burleigh more on your return. And perhaps then youwill open the old house a little more to the neighbourhood, and to yourfriends. They expect it: you are looked to for the county. "

"I have done with politics, and sicken but for peace. "

"Pick up a wife in Paris, and you will then know that peace is animpossible possession, " said the old bachelor, laughing.