voice, to the ear of the sorrowing and the destitute, had ever been,

"Sweet as a trumpet with a silver sound,"

for it had told of peace and consolation! How then did she listen to the detail of philanthropic benevolence: the alms-giving-the clothing the naked-the feeding the hungry-the village school, founded in hope on the basis of charity ;—and pine to cast her mite into the one accumulating hoard, which gathering in so many currents, and swelling into so large a stream, and disseminating throughout this Christian land, stands, as the one redeeming virtue, to soften and to palliate our national delinquencies.

Sydney talked long and fluently on this all-diffusive theme, because he read in the eloquent eyes which rested on him, a heart deeply and feelingly interested; and he longed to rouse that bland and genial spirit into energy and action; for he pictured self

self-exertion, as the only efficient power, with which to counteract the morbid spell, preying on strength and life. It may seem, he knew little of that deadly wasting atrophy, which defies human means and human intervention. But to return.

Mr. Beresford, by long indulged habit, was inert and indecisive; and extreme anxiety on his daughter's account, had fearfully increased his constitutional bias. Sydney marked it, and mourned it, and argued not; but he took the active part of preparation upon himself; and by letter, all at the Tile-house was submitted to the care and exertions of admiral Leslie.

The morning previous to the intended departure from London, as Beresford, over his coffee, was chatting with major D'Arcy, and telling of his plans and hopes, and trying, by every exertion of friendship, to induce him manfully to resign the pursuit and leave the coquettish Clara to her own devices, a note from Portman

square,

square, as though by necromantic spell, put all his reasonings and all his arguments to the route. D'Arcy trembled as he held it; and when the door closed upon M'Dermot, and when he broke the seal, such was the excess of his agitation, that his eyes grew dizzy, and a cold damp gathered on his forehead." Read it, Sydney," he faltered out. 66 By my soul," and he tried to laugh," I am as nervous as a fine lady."

Beresford took the note, and read

aloud:

"DEAR D'ARCY,

Though my creed is to shun all things wearing the sign or character of seriousness, still, in my paternal tie, I am driven to ask some serious converse with you. Do dine in Portman-square to-day, that the task may be got through, for it burdens me confoundedly. Clara has an engagement

engagement with the countess of Sutherland, so that we may open the budget with the removal of the cloth. In haste, "Yours entirely,

"CHARLES ELRINGTON."

END OF VOL. I.

Printed by J. C. Goodier, Well-street, Hackney.