letta had bargained for, in liberty, and that Darmaya Castle was to be furnished entirely by Darmaya's own taste: she would not give an opinion on any thing, or accept the most trifling cadeau till she was married; but the jewels were all en train, as well as the Castle. Montague was gone to his parish. Besides, Vahl was so handsome so very different from Montague—and her son, too; and Ellen might have such an immense fortune if Lord Belnovine adopted her, which every one said he had done, or would do beyond doubt; and his estates must come round in course of time, under Lord Darmaya's management and advice; and Lord Belnovine could will them away, though they were not to be brought to the hammer during his life.

All this, Lady Delainey had pondered over when with Mrs. Montague, and had been apparently a most attentive auditress of a very prosy description of Lord Darmaya's family concerns, and her own; and how ridiculous every person agreed it was, his venturing to marry again, so late in life too, and to so recherché, lively, and pretty a woman as Lady Villetta Delainey.

That really, for her part, she must candidly confess she should decide that Lady Villetta had much more chance of comfort and natural peace with a man of St. Germain's temperament, than with Lord Darmaya-so aged and circumspect. As a pis aller après tout, she subjoined, that she had once really fancied that Lorevaine himself might have conceived her capable of making him a good wife, but she had been mistaken. That it grieved her to see such a finale-a sad wind-up, indeed, for so sweet a girl as Lady Villetta!

Lady Delainey lamented that Mrs. Montague should have cause for chagrin at home or abroad; and said, she envied those who had so much time to spare, that they could analyze and think so intently on their neighbours' calamities and affairs. It was very amiable to despond for one's friends, and she hoped that Baptiste would be successful in all his schemes, and listen to her sage counsel: pity him.

no one need

She then drove off, in full determination of triumphing over this provoking, dreaded woman, somehow or other; and she hastily

pulled the string, to bid the coachman go to Darmaya House, where she joined her coadjutor.

"Vahl," said Belnovine, "I shall give you a similar piece of advice to that which Swift gave to his groom, which was, 'When he carried his master's riding-coat, to wrap his own in it.""

"How can that apply to me?" Vahl demanded, reddening, "for, Dieu merci! I am not in subservience to anything human !"

"Or divine," subjoined Belnovine; "only I trace the indentures of your feet along this détour daily, more and more imprinted towards the path of knowledge ending in Darmaya's sanctum. I guess he is wearying you with the burthen of his convenience, whilst you leave your own garment exposed to wear and tear. I laboured to my ruin, and have vast amusement in perceiving how skilfully the hook is still baited."

"It is not in my power to avoid derision, but it is in my power not to be ridiculous," with increased hauteur Vahl declared as he brandished his cane in the air.

"I wish you joy, then. You are perfectly safe. My experience must be de trop and fâde indeed; therefore, I shall leave you, hoping that you will not be en arrière, lest you become enchained à la victime, nor rush en avant, lest you enter too daringly. enter too daringly. Comprenez vous, cher cousin?" said Lord Belnovine, en riant, as he took the fallen cane, and examined the diamond top.

Vahl treaded the gallery alone, looking more into himself, than at the marble Venuses, Apollos, and Minervas, which awaited his attention.

CHAPTER VII.

"Non è questo il mio pensiero."

MADAME DE NORMAN, Harley, and Fanny, were just emerging from the low thicket which led towards the wildest part of the Darmaya domain, when a figure was noticed by Fanny at some distance leading a horse, which seemed lame, and made but tardy progress. "It is Mr. Montague! I am sure it is," Fanny exclaimed with avidity, as she jumped over the broken ground; and, leaving her companions to pursue a more beaten track, free from mud and briar, she conquered all difficulties, and was by Montague's side in almost speechless delight. He was pale, and thin as his Rosinante itself, and in evident languor, mental and bodily. To Fanny's congratulations on his return, he made civil replies. After assuring