Herbert, whose respect for the De Vere part of the family, prompted it, only some neighbouring gentlemen attended. Not one of the former political associates of Lord Mowbray made either offer or inquiry; which, considering all things, can scarcely move our wonder. But there was one omission which was at least unexpected by all who knew not the truth. Mr. Clayton, however, was not to be blamed, if he was not seen at the grave of the man who had made him what he was: a duty which we are to suppose him to have been extremely anxious to fulfil; for he actually wrote to De Vere to ask permission to do so, and was refused.

"I expected as much," said Lord Cleveland's new confident. "It is really hard that one should be prevented from shewing one's attachment to the memory of an early friend.”

The world admired these sentiments; nor were the world wrong. The sentiments were good; and if Clayton concealed the fact, that when he made the offer, he knew there was that between him and the Mowbrays which would prevent its being accepted, how was the world to make the discovery?

Lady Elizabeth Partridge, and the Misses Partridge, (who had put on full mourning for

the earl, though they had, ever since his retirement, talked of him only as their foolish old relation), went so far as to say this was very pretty of Mr. Clayton, and very unkind of Mr. De Vere. This, however, was after the opening of the will, to which Lord Cleveland, as the nearest male relation after De Vere, and Mr. Partridge, as the husband of Lady Elizabeth, had been invited. Neither of the latter persons found themselves so much as mentioned, any more than Clayton; who, however, declared, that although his patron had often told him he should be handsomely remembered, he entirely forgave it.

The will, indeed, was of some years standing, and, except the sum of five thousand pounds to Lady Eleanor, left Lady Constance sole inheritrix of all the testator's property, with Lord Clanellan for her guardian.

Lord Cleveland and Mr. Partridge immediately returned to town, coolly observing, that it was not worth while to have called them so far on such an errand. Lord Cleveland, however, openly expressed his disappointment that the Cleveland part (no inconsiderable one) of the Mowbray fortune, had not been made to revert to the Cleveland name, in his person.

This was, in fact, an idea on which he had long dwelt, not only within his own mind, but on all public occasions that warranted the mention of it. So that, on his return to London, he every where spread the failure of his just expectations, and gave himself the air of an injured man.

All eyes were now turned, more than ever, to the great heiress; who, however, was too secluded and too much occupied by her recent loss, even to know how great a space she filled in the world's curiosity. Though she had reigned a whole season in the beau monde, her character was by no means yet understood. She was, indeed, thought the most difficult of young women. Alas! poor Constance, she thought not of difficulty; she only wished to be let alone. Much of the blaze that had surrounded her ha been, owing to her father, instigated by Cleveland for political purposes. From that she was delivered, and could, at least, now indulge the plan of life most agreeable to her own views. At present, indeed, the seclusion of what she called the dear forest, seemed the only life suitable to her frame of mind; and a visit from Lord and Lady Clanellan in their quality of friends and guardians, seemed all, or nearly all she wanted. But, except for a few days, to give her an ac

count of her affairs, establish his house in the comforts necessary for her reception, and to receive Lord Clanellan, Mortimer came not. Yet, although there was no ostensible cause for his absence, his mother did not seem to wonder, much less to complain. Still it was matter of surprise to Constance, that he should thus, without apparent reason, absent himself from his only home.

The sensible heart, and high mind of De Vere had, indeed, sustained a perilous contest on this occasion. His love for his cousin was, perhaps, higher than ever; but the jealousy, we may say, the romance, of his pride, rose in proportion. The misery was, that he was not sure he was right; and as there was now no secret about it with his mother, he consulted her.

"To doubt," said she," is to decide. If you are uncertain, let the decision be on the side of honour."

De Vere staid away.

But a reason for his absence was now luckily supplied by Harclai, who, to use his own expression, laid violent hands upon him, and carried him to visit his tenants at Wellsbury.

It may be remembered, that in the ancient map of the borough, a considerable portion of

land appeared once to have belonged to Mr. Okeover, now transferred to Mr. Flowerdale, a gentleman whom we hope the reader has not forgotten. Indifferent to borough politics, Flowerdale had not rejected an offer made by Lord Cleveland's steward, for the purchase of this land. The steward said it was an agreement; but this was denied by Harclai, who now acted for Flowerdale. But whether agreement or not, Harclai refused to fulfil it, and at length appeared in the shape of its legal owner himself, under a regular deed of sale from the quiet but right judging squire of Okeover.

In truth, from the moment Harclai had made the discovery of Flowerdale's possession in Wellsbury, and that the sale to Lord Cleveland was not completed, he bent all his endeavours to avail himself of the good will that had arisen between Flowerdale and De Vere, to transfer the interest of that estate to his friend. For this purpose, he introduced himself at Okeover, and made good his claim to be considered the representative of Mortimer, whom he found so high in Flowerdale's favour, that the bare opening of the treachery he had met with, determined him to close all negotiation with Lord Cleveland, and dispose of his land where it