and felt as if she were within a fortress. After breakfast she would have made herself amends

by a stroll in the garden, but found herself required to attend the party in a walk to Ma small bathing place, about a mile from the house. The walk was tedious, for they moved as if they were following a procession; the obedient nephew, by his aunt's orders-(N.B. She had a great deal in her own power to leave, besides the house and garden, and all was intended for him as long as he continued subservient to her will;)—had given his arm to Miss Bidswell, and she herself took that of Rosina, leaning rather heavily as she became more tired. They came to a circulating library, where the novel Rosina had finished was exchanged for another, which was safely deposited in Mr. Jeremiah Bodkin's coat pocket, and in anticipation of the morrow, she did not feel much obliged to him for the trouble he took in bringing it home.

They paid two visits to residents in the place,

and then returned to Heron Lodge, in the same

funeral-like style.

A fortnight passed in this dull manner, and Rosina began to wonder that she did not hear from Lord Stanville. She had promised Lady Olivia, that she would not write to him first, but she had never promised not to answer a letter, should there reach her one from him; and though she scarcely dared own it to herself, she daily hoped to receive it. She had commissioned Lady Olivia's butler, a respectable sort of servant, whom she always considered to be good natured and trust-worthy, to forward to her all the letters that should arrive after her departure, and for that purpose had made him a handsome present. One from Miss Graham had been sent, but she had received no other. Had Henry then forgotten her so soon? no, but it was possible the objections and entreaties of his parents had worked upon his feelings, especially whilst his father was so ill. If after all, she thought, if he consents to marry Olivia,

Heaven grant she may make him happy, and quell her violence of temper !

Stanville, however, had written her two letters, full of tenderness and fidelity, and believing her to be still with his cousin, had addressed them to her house; but Lady Olivia, who expected it, had taken her precautions accordingly. She gave orders to her butler, under pain of his being dismissed from her service, to deliver up to her care, all the letters which might arrive for Miss Deloraine, which, she told him, it was her intention to forward herself; it may, therefore, easily be conjectured, that Lord Stanville's two love-letters, addressed to her rival, were by her committed to the flames.

Lord Rosmore's illness was even more serious than his son had apprehended. The sight of that favourite child gave him pleasure, and he appeared to revive in consequence, during the short time that Henry was allowed to stay. But ere long, pressing orders came for him to return to the army, and his honour did not admit of his

making a further delay. He had the comfort, before his departure, of hearing his father was considered out of danger; and taking a tender leave of both his parents, he hastened to quit England, without having a day to spare, and enable him to go to Brighton.

He could only write his adieus to Rosina, who never had the comfort of receiving them. To his father her name had never been mentioned; his illness prevented any allusion being made to what might afford him some annoyance ; but when Lady Rosmore, during the few moments they were alone, questioned her son about the young person, whom Lady Margaret wrote her word he was flirting with at Brighton, instead of Lady Olivia, she learnt from him, with much surprise, that it was the same girl who had won his affections in France.

It was seldom that Rosina ever saw a newspaper; Mrs. Bodkin did not take one in, and she and her hum-drum coterie troubled themselves little with what was going on in the world.

They cared not for the political affairs of their country, and took no interest in the extraordinary events going forward on the continent. Now and then, however, an additional visitor made them the subject of discourse, and sometimes Mr. Jeremiah brought a county newspaper in his pocket from the circulating library. It was in that paper that Rosina read the intelligence of Lord Stanville, the officer who had brought despatches from the army, having embarked on his return thither. She shut herself into her room to give way to an overwhelming burst of tears.

He was gone," and gave no sign !"-no letter, no thought of the poor Rosina whose only happiness in life was his regard! Gone to dangers, perhaps to death! She should never see him more. She had not before been aware how deep and heart-felt was her love, her inexpressible love for him whom she had almost made up her mind to give up all thoughts of, for the sake of a haughty