"Heavens Lady Hermione," said Waldegrave, much shocked at the despondency of her words and voice; "what can you mean ?"

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Nothing, nothing," returned she, again smiling! "it was one of those dark clouds passing over my mind, which my life withers in vain endeavours to avert. It is over now, so we will forget it; have you any inclination to sail ? the sea looks deliciously calm, and my head aches so much that I long to float awhile."

With a sigh wholly Edith's, Waldegrave offered to attend her. The boat was soon ready, and they set out; the water was calm, but a low steady breeze conducted them towards Baiæ.

When they had reached that interesting spot, Lady Hermione seemed so anxious to land, that they put on shore, and climbing up the low cliff, seated themselves on its brink. After some desultory conversation on the beauty of the scene and its classic recollections, Lady Hermione relapsed into silence, and Waldegrave ventured to remind her that she had not kept her promise.

"I know not how it is," she answered; "but Lyra looked misty last night; all sorts of lowering presentiments have taken possession of my mind; I would be gay, but am not equal to the struggle."

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"If I might venture to express it, Lady Hermione," said Waldegrave, “ I should say, you give way too much to what can only be a phantasy. Why should lowering presentiments fill your mind, when you have every thing to render it cheerful?"

"I have nothing really to make it so," said she; "this little society of friends, though it contribute to my amusement, cannot fill my heart. There is the dreadful void. Though from their expanded minds and liberal sentiments I esteem them all, for Sir Arthur only have I any real regard. Yet even he is not one to whom I could unlock the depths of my soul; I want a real friend."

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She paused; Waldegrave was silent, and she continued : Forgive me, Mr. Waldegrave, I once thought you that friend, and disappointment at the discovery of my delusion this morning affected me in the manner you saw. Pardon me," continued she, "I had hoped that the midnight of silence would have hidden this sorrow for ever within my breast, but you have drawn it from me."

"And I, in my turn," said Waldegrave, "must ask what reason you have to mistrust my friendship? Give me but the opportunity of proving it in any way you please."

"Your kindness, Mr. Waldegrave," said Lady Hermione, "I could not doubt, but that cannot be called friendship which exists independent of mutual confidence. Oh! Mr. Waldegrave, how can an anxious friend, like myself, behold your melancholy, hear your deep sighs, and not feel her own heart pierced. Night after night I have lain on a restless pillow, sleep driven from my eyelids by the certainty that you nourished some consuming care in which your best friend must not participate.' Here Lady Hermione covered her face, and seemed overpowered.

Waldegrave could not but be touched by the marks of a friendship so strong and disinterested, and for the first time doubted whether he might not have appeared cold and ungracious to her, who, during their brief acquaintance, had told him all the events of her life.

That she had discovered the existence of some secret sorrow was certain, though how he could not conceive. Embarrassed for words, and reluctant to speak of Edith, Waldegrave remained silent for some minutes, till observing that Lady Hermione still wept, he at length said:

"I must ever feel grateful, Lady Hermione, for the warmth of your kindness; but I assure you that I have not been guilty of undue reserve with you. The subject of my sorrow, continued he, lowering his voice, "is cureless as it is deep; the confidence you propose can only aggravate my distress, and give you no comfort."

"That is not so certain," said Lady Hermione, in a voice which showed that her feelings were wounded at his persevering silence; "you who are so very cautious cannot judge of what might give me comfort were you to make me really your friend, or whether I have not wherewith to lessen rather than to augment your grief."

Waldegrave, who would now have given the world to be relieved from Lady Hermione's inquiries, answered, "1 grieve, Lady Hermione, that I should appear reserved to you of all people, but you judge of me by your own generous nature; because your bosom lodges not a thought which would not benefit mankind, you have the power of laying it open to view. I am not so fortu hand on his, and

After a pause, Lady Hermie

said, in an agitated voice, "What if I know the cause of your affliction, and could tell you something that might lighten it."

Waldegrave started, and exclaimed with a vehemence that almost frightened Lady Hermione, "For Heaven's sake! speak if you know any thing concerning me; let me have it quickly I conjure you!"

e-I see

"Here I have done wrong, Mr. Waldegrave; I was not prepared for so much agitation on your part. I seeI was mistaken; we will not talk of this."

"Not talk of this," cried Waldegrave; "do you wish to torture me? do you know what would lighten the heaviest load which ever weighed man's soul to the dust, and shrink from telling it me?"

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"Pardon me; but I do not feel so sure now of the comfort it would give. I am very, very unfortunate," said she, rising and walking two or three steps along the path; my incautious disposition has shown you what should have been for ever buried in my bosom."

"You'll drive me wild," cried Waldegrave, seizing her hand, “if you will not speak; how can you suppose that there is any real kindness in keeping what you know from me, now my mind is prepared for the best or the worst ?"

Lady Hermione appeared so much agitated that Waldegrave found it absolutely necessary to tranquillize himself; he at last, however, obtained a promise of ample and sincere explanation, on the condition only of his patient hearing.

They then resumed their seats, and Lady Hermione began : "I am at a loss how to enter upon a subject so delicate, lest I should shock you by naming what you consider sacred." "I can bear to hear any thing now," said Henry; "and I entreat you to proceed.'

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Perhaps," resumed Lady Hermione, "you would listen to me with less repugnance, if you knew that during our very first meeting I became acquainted with your situation."

Waldegrave looked astonished, but did not interrupt her. She continued: "Some questions asked you by Sir Arthur at Pæstum produced a change of countenance that admitted me into your secret."

She paused; but Waldegrave, whose eyes were bent on the ground, remained silent.

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knew-pardon me if I name the name-that one of the Miss Vivians was the object of your attachment. I have

since discovered that it is the Miss Vivian who is going to be married to Lord Forrester."

Here Lady Hermione paused, as if she expected Waldegrave to speak; but he continued silent as before.

"I know," she resumed, "that you passed much time at Como in the society of Miss Vivian, who, I am told, is a fascinating young woman. There you became attached to her; how could it be otherwise? she encouraged your attentions, appeared to return your affection. Oh, Mr. Waldegrave, you were formed to love devotedly; why should you wish to conceal it?"

"Lady Hermione," said Waldegrave, "I entreat you to proceed; you mentioned having something to impart that might alter my situation; do not delay telling it me."

"Alas!" said Lady Hermione, "you are more impatient than I could wish. That assurance was extorted from my ignorance of your deep affections, but I have promised to keep you no longer in suspense. From the moment I understood the nature of your sorrow, I determined to ascertain whether there were no existing circumstance which might give reason to hope for a happy termination of this business. And now, Mr. Waldegrave, I must say what I would wish should never pass my lips, since I perceive the wound is too sore and recent for such intelligence to avail you."

Waldegrave's countenance evinced in rapid changes, from the hue of fever to deadly whiteness, his alternate hope and terror; he did not speak, but listened in breathless suspense.

"From sources," she resumed, "which you must never ask me to reveal, I have learned that Miss Vivian's marriage with Lord Forrester is certainly to take place, and by her own desire; moreover, that she does not love him.'

Waldegrave started; Lady Hermione continued; "But that in her determination to be his she has never vacillated, even during the time when she was leading you on—

"No; pardon me," said Waldegrave; “I cannot hear that, even from you, Lady Hermione; she never led me on; she did all that was perfect and honourable; they lie foully who ever told you aught else."

"Heaven grant it may prove so," said Lady Hermione, with a sigh; "but I could tell you that which would shake your inmost soul-can you hear it?”

"Yes," answered Waldegrave, calmly, "I can hear any thing against Edith, because I shall believe nothing."

"Miss Vivian," continued Lady Hermione," has bee as you know, for some time engaged to Lord Forrester; Lady Vivian, however, has insisted upon a delay of one yea having some doubts it appears as to the happy result of tl union. Miss Vivian, who knew how to prize Lord Forre ter's rank and fortune, was anxious that the event shou take place le plutôt possible, lest she should ultimately lo her admirer. A report, whether true or false I know no had arisen that Lord Forrester had paid marked attentio last spring to a daughter of Lord L-'s, which, flying the lake of Como, kindled there an unquenchable alarm, an Sir Ralph summoned Lord Forrester back forthwith. Mi Vivian, perceiving an unwonted coldness in his manner whe he arrived, accueilled him with more than usual zeal, ar finally regained her ascendancy over her lover's min Foreseeing, however, that the risk of another separatio must be encountered ere she could wear his name, by wa of retaining Lord Forrester's partiality, I am told, she cam to a determination of exciting his jealousy. Before your a rival at Como a Duca di Villanza answered that purpose, int whose place you afterward stepped."

66 "I am very sorry, Lady Hermione," said Waldegrave "that you should have wasted your time in listening to suc malevolent calumnies, and I shall positively demand of yo their author's name; or is there, perhaps, something furthe to hear?"

Lady Hermione, who was unprepared for this calm con fidence in Edith, answered, "Before I began my recital, told you I never could be expected to reveal his name. had certainly something more to say, but since you seem to doubt both me and my informer, perhaps you have hear enough."

"Doubt you, Lady Hermione!" exclaimed Waldegrave "what can you mean? what should induce you to think m capable of such an extravagance? Nor do I doubt your in

former, but say that he shall pay a heavy debt for each ac cursed lie he has uttered. You know not Miss Vivian, Lady Hermione; you cannot judge whether this be false or no.

"Your affection for her, believe me," said Lady Hermione "rendered me tardy of belief in this matter, but I have since received proof, which, I grieve to say, leaves no doubt on my mind."

Lady Hermione then drew a note from a small pocket