"Then she can scarcely afford hats and shoes, certainly not stockings and gloves, to her children, and you would enjoy very much, every time you went outside your gate, to be followed by a troop of half-naked urchins staring after their fine-lady cousin."

"But, mama, I promised

"But at present, you have no right to perform ; you are a minor, you are under pupillage; it is your guardians you must be guided by; wait till you are of age, and then do as you think proper; by that time a much better living may be in your gift, for this, I understand, is one of the poorest."

The discussion was stopped, for just then there drew up an equipage, somewhat of a different style from those which usually graced the Countess's door. It was a very large, heavy, roomy-looking coach, evidently built to carry six, of a strong salmon colour, with grass-green hammer-cloth, and green and orange liveries. The general effect was shocking to the eye of taste, and Gertrude uttered an exclamation of horror as she caught a glance of it. It appeared to be literally as full as it could hold, as sundry bonnets were to be seen, and it was some mi

nutes before Mr Larkins could extricate himself from the company within, and several more elapsed before Mrs Larkins emerged: Then followed another lady, and another, in less time; and all four were actually in the hall before Lady Rossville had presence of mind to take any precautions against this irruption.

Mr and Mrs Augustus Larkins, Miss Larkins, Miss Barbara Larkins, were now announced, and much bowing, and curtseying, and introducing took place, and the good-natured, simple Lilly, seemed as though she never would weary of shaking hands, and expressing her delight at sight of her aunt and cousin. At length they were all seated, and then apologies commenced for not having been to wait upon them sooner.

"You must have thought it very unkind," said she; "but we have been staying at old Mr Larkins's beautiful villa, Willow Bank, and we only come back to town the day before yesterday. And how odd it was that we should see each other first at the opera! I saw you didn't know me at first; but Augustus said, he daresaid you were angry because I had not been to wait upon you; but, I assure you, it was only the day be

fore yesterday we came to town, and yesterday we couldn't get old Mr Larkins's coach, for he wanted it himself, but we have got it to-day, and old Mrs Larkins came with us, but she has hurt her leg, and finds it very troublesome to get out, so she hopes you'll excuse her."

66

Chawming owse this, Mem," observed Mr Augustus, surveying the apartment all round. "Monsous nice owse, indeed," said Miss Lar

kins.

"Sweet purty owse it is," said Miss Barbara Larkins.

"Well, Mem, you have been to our theatres of course ?" inquired Mr Augustus.

Lady Rossville answered in the negative. "Good la, Mem, it an't possible !—Why, then, you have seen nothing!-S'pose we make a party for Drury Lane some of these nights ?"

A thundering rap at the door here proclaimed other visitors, and Gertrude thought she would have swooned when the Duchess of St Ives was announced. She rose to receive her in the other drawing-room-but she was too late the Duchess was already in the very heart of the Larkinses.

"How do you do, dear Lady Rossville? I heard you were taken ill at the Duchess of Arlington's last night, and I felt quite anxious about you; but you seem pretty well to-day ?”

This was uttered in that tone of insolent, condescending superiority, which is intended at once to convey an impression of the speaker's own triumphant happiness, and their commiseration for the person they are addressing. Gertrude tried to repel it, but she was no adept in dissimulation, and her attempt at gaiety failed when she answered, that she had merely been fatigued by the length of the ballet at the Opera, and overcome by the excessive heat of the Duchess's rooms.

"I judged wisely, then, it seems,” said the Duchess, carelessly, "in having my own little quiet party at home, though, to own the truth, I believe, I was rather wise by compulsion, as I had two or three friends dining with me, who positively would not go away, and I was forced to sing to them till I actually made myself hoarse,” giving a little affected cough as she spoke.

Gertrude's colour rose, and her heart beat, but she made no reply. Mrs St Clair, therefore,

thought it necessary to say something, if only to prevent the Larkinses from getting in a word.

"Your Grace's musical powers, it seems, have greater attractions than even the wonder of the day, the celebrated Catalani."

“O, dear no,” said the Duchess, in a sort of careless, contemptuous manner, as if she disdained to be complimented;-" but 'tis pleasant to sing with those who understand one's style of singing. There is only one person I know who can sing Felice chi vi mira,' that is, in the way I sing it."

That was Colonel Delmour's favourite song, and one Gertrude and he had often sung together; and she had heard him mention the Duchess of St Ives's style of singing, as something fine, though in a different style from hers. She felt that her agitation would betray her if she attempted to carry on the conversation, and she was glad even to turn to the Larkinses, who, attracted by the splendid binding of some books which lay upon one of the tables, had begun to inspect, or rather to handle them.

"This is beautiful," said Mrs Larkins, displaying some fine engravings in one of them to her