Eliza, disappointed in her expectations, and suspecting a settled plan on Mrs Chamberlyn's part to keep her mother at a distance, gave way without restraint to her feelings. Not that Eliza resented the insult on her mother's account particularly-but on her own. It was an insult to her as real mistress of the mansion.

MRS CHAMBERLYN had no sooner quitted Eliza, than she instantly proceeded to her son's private apartment and obtained admittance. She complained bitterly of the insolence she had received from his wife, and demanded that he should resent it on her account.

Chamberlyn was excessively annoyed. He hated " scenes," and he dreaded the odium attendant upon family quarrels, especially so early a one as this. His own conscience, besides, suggested what the world might say on the subject of his interested marriage. He had indeed little love for his wife, and was ex

tremely indignant at her behaviour, as reported by his mother; still, though he was attached to the latter, he knew her faults-her imperious disposition and haughty temper—and was afraid that the contact of two such violent spirits might end in an exposure. He pressed this earnestly upon her.

"I agree with you, my agree with

you,

dear mother; I quite " he said. "I have experienced

something of her real disposition once or twice already—but you know, you would persuade me to this marriage."

"That is an unkind reflection of yours, Ernest," said his mother, reproachfully, "when you know I only sought your benefit."

"I did not mean it as that, mother—only, that as the marriage has taken place, let us put up with its annoyances. But the truth is, she has something to complain of; and this makes me unwilling to obey you at present: I allowed her to believe that you were not to remain here-and so—and so-"

"And so and so she expects to lord it

over your mother! she, the child of a parish pauper—the very dregs of society, whose only recommendation was the paltry dross which Providence had denied to us, her superiors! But while I live I am mistress of Arden, and you, Ernest, will surely never see your mother debased?"

66

No, no, mother! I will support you. But for the sake of decency let there be peace at present. In a short while she will, and must get reconciled to it but do not let us have any exposures."

Eliza, on the contrary, scorned to seek her husband, and appeal to him. She felt the justice of her own claims; and considered it his duty to support them, even in opposition to his mother. She had no belief in his affection for her; and, indeed, was now very indifferent on the subject; but she was his wife—had brought him a large fortune-and had her estate still in her own power; so she scarcely thought, if she remained firm, that he would dare to resist her obtaining her rights. She had also his own

promise to urge upon him, if necessary.

She

had married him only to be mistress of Arden; and she would sooner leave him, than remain there to be degraded and dictated to by his mother.

She left the drawing-room, and shut herself up in her own bed-room, declining to descend to luncheon when a message was sent to her. Her husband did not venture to seek her there; though he was afraid matters were becoming serious. It served to make him more disgusted than ever with his marriage, in spite of its pecuniary advantages. He ascribed his wife's violent conduct to her low birth, and want of dignity; and the more provoked he was with her, the more he felt inclined to side with his mother. His long course of submission to the latter had blinded his understanding. He had hoped, notwithstanding his promise, that Eliza would have yielded gracefully to her, as Mrs Chamberlyn herself had fully persuaded him. However, his eyes had been somewhat opened to his wife's character during their