her eye.
These agreeable thoughts did not fail to put me
in a better humour; and I arrived in Belgrave-square in a
more social mood than I enjoyed when I left my hotel.

Lord Melcombe was a curious compound of obstinacy and
good-nature, prejudice and kindness of heart. He had not
many brilliant virtues, and he had no degrading vices. He
had been a little of a profligate during his youth, therefore he
considered that he was obliged to become a little of a saint
in his old age. To prove his own reformation, he tried to
reform those whom he thought more wicked than himself;
and when he paid the dividends of several fair annuitants
who had once ministered to his youthful pleasures, he accom-
panied the instalment with bundles of tracts. A check
on his banker was sent with "Baxter's Call to the Uncon-
verted," and bank notes were enclosed in a copy of "Holy
Living and Dying." He was a liberal landlord to those of
his tenants who did not destroy his game, or shoot his
pigeons. He might have made an excellent parent; but he
evinced no inclination towards a domestic life, and left the
whole arrangements of his family to Lady Honoria. Lady
Honoria had proved herself still less qualified to support the
responsibilities of a parent than her husband; and after the
earl's divorce from his wife, and discovery of his daughter,
a great change for the better had been created in him. He
became as attentive as he had before been neglectful, and
seemed as well inclined to do too much as he had previously
been to do too little. But it was as a political character
that he had always been desirous of shining. William Pitt
was the god of his idolatry. He thought nothing good
which did not bear to him some resemblance. He took a
leading part in the debates--was ever ready to resist the
attacks of revolution-and never failed to be at his post
when the church or the state was threatened with destruc-
tion.

In town he studied intently every subject relating to his parliamentary duties, wrote essays on the Balance of Power, and printed treatises on the Mischiefs of Radicalism. In the country he attended all magistrates' meetings, presided at local committees for turnpike-rates, patronised the select vestries, visited prisons and poorhouses, and subscribed to all the charities in the county. He was a kind friend and a bitter enemy, proud of his rank, partial to his country, and

devoted to his king. His sincerity was always undoubted, nor was his generosity ever called in question. He was rather unostentatious in his manners, wore a dress peculiar yet plain, and had never failed to use powder since it had once been taxed. He possessed one great failing; his temper was irritable, and this often made him unreasonable when thwarted.

The meeting with my uncle was most affectionate. He evinced more genuine feeling than I imagined he possessed. He shook me heartily by the hand, thanked me for my kindness to Dora with tears in his eyes, and asserted, with equal sincerity of heart, that nothing would be so gratifying as to forward our union. The idea of marriage, however, was not so agreeable to me, and I did not receive his proposition with the delight which he had expected it would create. He looked disappointed. As it was not my desire to displease him, I merely stated, that as I intended entering into an active public life, I did not think it advisable to marry immediately.

"You're right, Vincent," he exclaimed with returning satisfaction. "You are too young to marry. But, dear me, what a fine fellow you're grown! By-the-by, your eyes are very much like those of the great William Pitt, that heavenborn minister. You are now of age; the lawyers will put you in possession of your property, which you will find increased in value; but as I wish you to make a figure in the world worthy of your relationship to me, I shall add to it the Melcombe estate, and give you the use of my town house."

I was profuse in my acknowledgments; for such kindness from the old man was quite unexpected.

"The arrangements are all made," he observed," and you may avail yourself of them as soon as you please. But, my dear boy, I think it would be advisable for you to visit the borough at your earliest convenience. Our enemies are awake and stirring; and if you do not begin the campaign immediately, the chance will be lost. You have enjoyed an excellent education, and, I am certain, possess great natural capabilities; it is, therefore, scarcely necessary to caution you against the plausibilities of the Whigs, or the dangerous doctrines of the Radicals."

I bowed in acknowledgment of the compliment. My

uncle then proceeded to acquaint me with the particular views of his party, which he developed with all the spirit of a thorough partisan. It was then arranged that I should remain in town only a few days longer. An active committee was forming in Melcombe for the purpose of carrying on my election, and my presence had become absolutely necessary to ensure my success.

"Your prospects, my dear Vincent, are most flattering," said the old man, in triumph; "and your return will give great satisfaction to the Conservatives. My influence will not be wanting to forward your interests and I hope the time is not far distant when I shall behold you holding some ministerial appointment_worthy your high birth and the claims of your family. Remember that your political opinions will be those of the great William Pitt-that extraordinary legislator-that unrivalled statesman-that heavenborn minister! Try and tread in the path he trod, and you may become equally distinguished. I must leave you now. I am obliged to attend a meeting of the Duke of Ordnance, Sir Pensive Placid, and other of our leaders, to whom I shall be happy to introduce you on a fitting occasion. But let me see you again soon, and as frequently as possible."

Thus ended our first interview. That it afforded my ambitious hopes a more solid foundation I was fully sensible. To take immediate advantage of these favourable circumstances was my next consideration. I obtained possession of the property to which I was entitled, and removed from the hotel in which I had been residing to the family mansion in Grosvenor-street. I set up an establishment corresponding with the station in society I desired to occupy; became a member of the most fashionable clubs; and studied, as much as possible, the characters of the different political parties. In everything which was likely to create for me a favourable influence as a parliamentary candidate, Lord Melcombe gave me ready assistance. I listened patiently to his lordship's long harangues, and consequently grew more in favour. Dora seemed delighted that matters continued to possess so satisfactory an appearance; and her conduct towards ine was always that of the most earnest devotedness. Yet, with shame I avow it, I experienced less and less pleasure in her affection; preferred passing my time in company with the fascinating Lady Julia; and

turned a more willing ear to the suspicions and sarcasms of Mephistophiles. Dora did not seem to notice my inconstancy. Her nature was so full of truth that she never could imagine insincerity in another; and, when in her society, as I continued that lip homage which the smiling profligate has ever at hand, she was perfectly satisfied that my attachment was equal to her own. My jealousy increased; I watched her actions, and found in them abundant food for doubt.

CHAPTER IV.

Some account of the grand entertainment given by the marchioness in honour of her niece's entrance into the beau monde.-I associate with the leading members of the Conservative party, and am made acquainted with their policy.-The manner in which I am convinced of the deceitfulness of Dora.

66

I HAD determined not to leave town till after Dora had come out," as it is termed. On the day that this important ceremony was to take place, Mephistophiles and I were invited to meet a grand dinner party given by the Marquis of Brambleberry. It consisted of the most distinguished individuals of his particular coterie. The banquet was magnificent; the conversation during dinner sufficiently general and interesting but when the ladies had withdrawn, and the servants had retired, it became exclusively political. When the company drank as a toast "The pilot that weathered the storm," Lord Melcombe commenced an oration upon what he styled the extraordinary genius of that extraordinary man.

:

"At the eventful period when that heaven-born minister flourished," exclaimed my uncle, " the whole surface of society was undergoing extraordinary convulsions. It presented the appearance of a volcano previous to one of those mighty eruptions under which cities are buried for ever. These phenomena in the social fabric had their origin in the bad passions of mankind."

"Hear! hear!" exclaimed the Duke of Snapdragon.

"The mischief was kept smouldering in darkness and mystery," continued the orator, "by those workers of evil who build their greatness upon crime, and rest their influence upon credulity, until the time arrived that they thought would ensure its most destructive effect. By the moral earthquake which ensued, kingdoms were shaken to their foundations-"

"Hear! hear!" again exclaimed the Duke of Snapdragon.

"Thrones were hurled to the dust-"

"Hear! hear!" shouted the duke, with increased energy.

"And the institutions of justice and the altars of religion were defiled with the supremacy of guilt, and soiled with the blood of virtue."

"Hear! hear! hear!" repeated the duke, with supernatural vehemence.

"Hear! hear!" bawled the Marquis of Brambleberry, with equal fervour.

"Hear! hear!" exclaimed the Duke of Ordnance. "Hear! hear!" repeated Sir Pensive Placid, and the same word was echoed by every voice in the room.

"How much they are all moved by the eloquence of the speaker!" remarked Mephistophiles to me in a whisper; "especially Snapdragon. I am glad to see his royal highness so sensitive upon the subject of revolutions. So good a patriot and so virtuous a man must feel sensibly affected by the deplorable picture sketched by your worthy uncle." "In a neighbouring kingdom," continued Lord Melcombe," innocence and merit obtained neither admiration nor respect. The reign of equality had commenced; and as all determined to be equally criminal, the good were delivered up to the executioner. Under the guise of liberty such atrocities were perpetrated as would not have been tolerated in the worst species of slavery."

"Hear! hear!" observed a West India proprietor. "Nothing like leather !" said Mephistophiles, in an under

tone.

"It was not the first, nor has it been the last time," continued the orator, "that a fair name has been a cloak for foul deeds. Hypocrites may always be found preaching such doctrines as universal happiness, fraternization, and