the perpetration of such things, and having folded the precious document into the neatest of possible shapes, he emerged from his place of retirement; and, after the lapse of a few seconds, discovered the maid-servant dangling about the neighbourhood, with the excuse of a jug in her hand. The moment she perceived them, she hastened to the little gate, and opened it with her latch-key so slowly and bunglingly, by design, as to give Narcissus abundant time to slip the note with a shilling into her hand, and request her to give the former to any one of her young mistresses. With a smile, nearly approaching to a laugh, she promised compliance with his request.

"Naoww, O'Flairty, what have you to say for yawself?" said Narcissus in triumph, the moment the servant had disappeared. Baay Jooove, a cleaw affair, though you deed yaw best to throw cold wataw upon it. Nevaw speak moa' to me, of yaw knowledge of the sexxx !"

"Peg away, my old tulip!" said O'Flaherty, "and we shall see what we shall see."

'Of cou'se you will keep the appointment with me, two hours hence."

"The divvle a bit!" said O'Flaherty, "I have other fish to fry."

Haowww?" said Narcissus, in uncontrollable astonishment.

"I must rattle into town, like a flash o' lightnin', to see my uncle, the knight. I must apologise to him for a scene which occurred in my chambers last night, and bring him to the Opera to-night. He expressed a wish to that effect, and you know our maxim: "Cultivate the governor !"

Of course," said Narcissus to Diddledoft, "you will stand your ground, like a man."

"Ba the Loar', a' wull!" said Davie.

O'Flaherty with a quiet laugh took his leave of the pair, flung himself into a cab, and set off in search of his uncle. He had formed another resolution, which he kept to himself, having great confidence in his own clear-sightedness, and of which we shall presently see the result.

Dobbs proceeded to the rendezvous with a degree of confidence, of which a hundred failures had never abated an iota. Diddledoft evinced some trepidation in his demeanour, his bosom fluttering like that of every young lover. The gardens in front of the houses constituting the terrace in which the young ladies resided were for the most part planted with tall trees; and these concealed the balcony from our approaching heroes' view, until they arrived quite in front of it.

Here they took the centre of the road, so as to present their persons in the most conspicuous possible manner to the notice of the charming fair. Just as they had arrived at the point where they knew the balcony was situated, Narcissus assumed one of his most bewitching smiles, twirled his moustache, and displayed his white teeth with their most killing effect. Davie grinned in humble imitation.

Their eyes caught the balcony at the same instant, when, lo! instead of three, they found it displaying six occupants. Each of the three young ladies had her lover ranged by her side, and, amidst a general titter, Narcissus's charming billet-doux was passed from hand to hand. A burning blush of shame glowed upon Narcissus's cheek, and Davie's whole face resembled beet-root. The pair attempted to retreat, and then a loud laugh burst from the balcony. It was echoed from behind, and, turning round, they perceived O'Flaherty!

This sagacious youth had transacted his business in town with all

possible despatch, and driven out in a cab full gallop, to witness what he predicted would be their inevitable discomfiture. The accepted lovers of the young ladies, who were highly respectable, and had given a show of encouragement to Dobbs pour passer le temps, et pour s'amuser, were Templars, to whom Narcissus was well known; and thus the affair at once attained notoriety, and was told through the Inns of Court, with the characteristic prefix: "How to serve out a puppy!"

My scene is now transferred to Her Majesty's Theatre, where it would be difficult to paint Davie's wonder at the sight of that magnificent Salle d' Opera, which reminded him by its extent of the Roman amphitheatres in the height of their glory, at the tiers upon tiers of boxes, with their brilliant occupants, all sparkling in diamonds and feathers, for the scene was graced by the presence of royalty, and the performances were commanded,-at the splendid lustre, irradiating as with sunlight an almost boundless space, -at the rows upon rows of elegantly dressed people in the stalls and pit, -at the mighty orchestra, composed of numberless elements, yet imbued with an identical soul,-at the ravishing strains of the foreign singers, chosen from all the earth-delightful in the solo parts, still more delightful in their unison,-at the grand scale of the decorations and embellishments, the gorgeous, yet historical propriety of the costumes, the immense army of chorus-singers, blended with the effect of a single instrument, the ravishing delights of the ballet, where each succeeding dancing-girl seemed to outstep perfection in her predecessor, until the charm of the night was wound up by the premiére danseuse, eclipsing all that he had ever dreamed of under the influence of Eastern fiction, surpassing in each new pose the chefs-d'œuvre of a Phidias or Praxiteles, and whirling his senses with the closing pirouette, into a corresponding whirl of intoxicated enchantment. At times, it was with difficulty that Davie was held down on his seat; and the enthusiasm with which, in

defiance of the laws of Italian grammar, he hailed the efforts of each fair artist with a vigorous "bravo!" caused no small amusement to his audience. Once, when at a single bound the danseuse cleared half the stage, Davie, in uncontrollable delight, roared out, "Weel, in a' my boarn days!" and had every operaglass in the house directed at him, including that of royalty; but mindless of the observation which he was exciting, and of the titter which went through his immediate neighbourhood, he clapped his hands until they were red as raw beef, and roared out lustily, "ong-cur! ong-cur!"

At the conclusion of the performances, the knight, who had enjoyed them very good-humouredly, took his leave of the party, being much attached to Old Richard's proverb:

66

Early to bed, and early to rise." Dobbs had retired immediately after the opera, exacting a pledge from the party that, at the close of the ballet, they would proceed to his chambers to sup.

Narcissus had at this moment a domestic difficulty to contend with, which to a man on the point of marrying was extremely embarrassing; he had a mistress resident in his chambers. She was a Spanish girl, named Ynez, of remarkable beauty, whom he had picked up amongst the figurantes of the opera, where, though not more than seventeen years of age, she had been corrupted by the inevitable process of association with the vicious. Poor girl!

She

"Her poverty, but not her will, consented." The other dancers and singing-girls were richly dressed, and flouted her for her meagre style of attire. Her stipend was scarcely sufficient to keep body and soul together. Her father and mother were both dead. The latter had figured in the chorus, the former in the orchestra. may thus be said to have been born on the opera-boards. She had neither advice to guide her, nor example to control. But her personal charms constituted her greatest danger. These were perfectly ravishing. What an exquisitely graceful figure! What majesty in her step! What magnificent black eyes! Is it to be

much wondered that she fell? Dobbs had obtained the entrée behind the scenes of the opera. Though his conversation was rather insipid, he had very good looks, a most fashionable air, and extreme self-confidence. He persecuted her with his attentions, made overtures, and at length succeeded in bringing her to live with him. He loved her with tolerable ardour for a time-so long as a soul like his could love-that is, for a few months. Imprudences were committed, and at length Ynez presented him with her own perfect image-the prettiest little girl in all the world-a brunette, with the most charming little features, and eyes large, black and eloquent, brilliant as those of her mother.

Alas, that what constitutes in woman's heart the dearest of ties should but estrange the more brutal sexthat the link which to her is purer than gold and firmer than adamant, which nothing but the most imperious necessity can break asunder, should be to him as rotten hemp! Yet so it is. The pledge of affection is to selfish men the most potent security for their alienation, and love relaxes its hold upon such natures, when the woman who for them has given up all becomes a mother!

Dobbs resorted to the ordinary expedient-became reserved in his intercourse with her, staid away for long intervals, and when she justly chid him, became coarse in his manner, and at length brutal! The melancholy truth was slow in forcing itself upon her, but at last it became but too apparent. She learned that he was about to marry. The tortures which she had to endure from this moment were horrible. Few as were the moments that Dobbs would now spend with her, he did not even attempt to conceal his ennui and disgust. She alluded to the news which she had heard of his approaching marriage, but he denied it with an oath, and charged her, with a brutal imprecation, never again to allude to the subject. She saw her own fate, and the fate of her childleft to beggary, perhaps to starvation. From the love of so utterly selfish a being she could expect

nothing; she resolved to operate on his fears.

She hinted at the consequences which would follow from an exposure of his baseness to the lady to whom he was about to be united.

"Fool!" said Dobbs, in a hoarse and croaking voice, dropping in an instant his affected mode of utterance, "Have you yet to learn that affairs like this are but a recommendation to ladies of fashion?" and he burst into a laugh of provoking contempt.

Ynez felt that there was no hope in this resource, and contented herself with weeping bitterly, and clasping to her bosom the beloved infant, which she felt would be so soon bereaved.

Ynez had an acquaintance amongst the male chorus-singers of the Opera -one who had sincerely loved her, and who had looked forward with pleasurable anticipations to the day when he should be united to her for life; but her connexion with Dobbs had suddenly cut off their acquaintance. Upon this occasion, he saw her eyes red with weeping-her face grown almost haggard from grief. All his love returned on a sudden, and Ynez unveiled to him her most secret cares. The chorus-singer furnished her with a clue to Dobbs's recent brutality in a liaison between him and the wife of one of his most intimate friends, Blunt, the unsuspecting Yorkshireman. Letters, he assured her, had secretly passed between them, and Blunt was miserably duped.

This was as a new light to Inez ; and, driven to despair, she resorted to a course which nothing but the most imperious necessity could ever have induced her to take. She opened Dobbs's writing-desk during his absence, and from a secret drawer, which she did not discover without a world of pains, she drew forth a little packet containing ten letters, written in a female hand, and signed, "Clara." It was Mrs. Blunt's name; and the internal evidence of their contents left no doubt either that they were written by her, or of the warmth of her guilty passion. She secreted the letters with the utmost care.

That evening Dobbs returned, and his demeanour towards her was more brutal than ever. It appeared to be his fixed desire to exasperate his mistress to the utmost, and break off at once the feeble connexion which subsisted between them. In conformity with the plan which she had laid down for the guidance of her conduct, Ynez bore all without a murmur. But Narcissus was at times so impertinent, at times so grossly insulting, that Ynez lost all patience. “I think,” she said resolutely, “I can see through your design."

"Indeeeed!" said Dobbs, without shifting his position, "let us heaw the discovery?"

"Don't speak to me in that manner," said Ynez. "I shall not submit to it. For months past I have been suffering from all manner of cool insolence. I shall put up with it no longer. I shall leave these apartments to-morrow."

tle.

Dobbs gave a contemptuous whis

"Wretch !" cried Ynez, rising, and approaching Dobbs, with eyes of fire. Mean, cowardly wretch! You loved me for a few months, because I was young and you thought me good-looking. You dangled me, for a time, like a feather in your cap. But the moment I became a mother, the moment that you found your attachment for me might be attended with expense, you have felt but one desire the desire to get rid of me. Well, you have your wish. I shall leave these apartments to-morrow morning-for ever!"

"Ynez," said Dobbs, softening the tones of his voice, "you are deceived. I swear you are!"

"Go," replied Ynez, walking rapidly up and down the apartment, go, you had better not keep your new mistress waiting!"

ried lady with whom you are in correspondence, from whom you have received a dozen letters?"

These words, once imprudently uttered, it was impossible to withdraw. Dobbs, thunderstruck, remained silent for a moment; then approaching Ynez; "What would you mean to say?" he asked in a tone, whose softness contrasted strangely with the dark dismay imprinted on his features. "A married lady, from whom I have received a dozen letters! Who is it that carried to you so ridiculous a tale ?"

"I don't remember, now," said Ynez, with an air of indifference. "That is utterly impossible." "I tell you, I don't remember." Dobbs paced the apartment with hurried and heavy steps. Then, suddenly turning round,

"Ynez," he said, seizing the young woman's arm, and squeezing it violently, "have you not risen while I slept-have you not stolen from my pocket the key of my writing-deskhave you not opened my desk, and stolen from a secret drawer a packet containing a number of letters, written by a female hand?" and he squeezed her arm with still greater violence.

My answer is 'yes,'" said Ynez, shaking him off with all her force. "I did search for your new mistress's letters, and found them, too."

"B-h!" cried Dobbs, shaking his clenched fist in her face, "give me back the letters; give them back this instant, or I'll kill you on the spot."

But the Spanish girl's spirit was roused, instead of being affrighted by his violence. Dobbs seized her hands between his, and pressed them as in a vice.

self upon his knees before her. "Ynez, beloved girl," he exclaimed, "you will not close your heart against me. You see my grief and my repentance. True love is indulgent.'

"Have I not told you that I have not one particle of love for you remaining?"

"Will neither the remembrance of the past, nor the tears which you see me shed-"

"Once more I tell you, you shall not touch the letters; you shall never touch them. Talk of tears and repentance! Do you think me such a fool as to believe one word of it? Your protestations, sir, come too late. Every tie is broken between

us.

"Dear Ynez!" said Dobbs, using his utmost efforts to repress his rising violence, "do not refuse me the favour which I implore of you on my knees. Those letters may cost more than one life."

"Your pity is all for yourself, and your new mistress. What pity have you had for me, while for months past you have seen grief hollowing my eyes, and bowing my head? Answer, if you dare! You have come here only to insult my grief by your provoking indifference, to weary my patience, and provoke a rupture between us. Listen, then, once for all. The letters you shall never touch!"

"So!" said Dobbs, bounding up like an enraged tiger, "I shall never touch them! By the G-d above, you shall tell me on the spot, where they are concealed!"

Again he seized her arm, and, pressing it with tenfold force, made her fall upon her knees, and shriek from pain.

"The letters! where are the letters?" shouted Dobbs.

He was followed by Diddledoft and Blunt, the latter gaily apologising for coming to sup with him, without any special invitation, mentioning that his lady had gone off that evening to her father's residence in the country, to spend a couple of days, and that he was free as the air until the period of her return. Dobbs would as soon have seen the black devil!

Ynez's eyes were red from recent weeping; and all Dobbs's exertions could not conceal the high degree of excitement to which he had wrought himself. Supper was served, but not even O'Flaherty's jocularity could remove the shade from his host's brow. Ynez would not taste a glass of wine. Dobbs drank, but the liquor only made him more moody and snappish.

Ynez went for a few minutes to the adjoining apartment, and returned with a look of triumph in her eyes.

"Beware what you do!" whispered Dobbs; "by heaven, there is blood at bottom of all this!"

Ynez laughed contemptuously, and drawing a chair opposite to Dobbs and Blunt, and addressing the latter, said, "Why are you so dull? This is, probably, the last evening that you will see me here."

"How?" inquired Blunt.

"Ynez!" said Dobbs, uttering a fearful imprecation, “I shall not suffer you to utter another syllable. Do you hear me, Ynez? I forbid it." "I am not at all afraid," was Ynez's cold reply. "These gentlemen will protect me from your brutality." Then, addressing Blunt, she proceeded: "Mr. Dobbs has ceased to love me, and wishes to throw me on the world. He may do so, if he pleases. But he wishes to get rid of his daughter, too, a charm