tensions to Miss St Clair's hand, and to authorise him to annul any engagement subsisting between them, upon pain of his most serious displeasure. Gertrude's heart throbbed violently as she turned to the answer to this, in the well-known, careless, elegant hand of her lover. It was short-expressed the deepest regret at having incurred his uncle's displeasure-pleaded the excess of his passion as the only excuse, and declared, in the most unequivocal terms, the utter impossibility there was in his ever complying with his lordship's commands by relinquishing that which was dearer to him than life. Tears of delight burst from Gertrude's eyes as she read this decided avowal of unalterable attachment.

"How could I be so base as ever to doubt-un

generous that I am! was her first exclamation; and, in the exultation of the moment, she felt as though worlds could never again for a moment shake her faith. But there were more letters to peruse. The next in order was another from Lord Rossville. It was in part a repetition of what her uncle had said to herself, when he declared his intention of disinheriting her and settling the estates upon Mr Delmour; but his resolutions were still more strongly expressed and fully detailed in the letter; and he concluded by an offer of instantly paying his nephew's debts, and settling ten thousand pounds upon him, provided he would come under an engagement never to marry Miss St Clair.

"This, then, is the test!" thought Gertrude; and, with a beating heart, she opened another letter in Colonel Delmour's hand-writing, and read as follows:

“MY DEAR UNcle,

"It was only on my return here late last night that I found your letter; and I have passed a sleepless night ruminating on the heartrending alternative you offer to

me.

Were my own interests solely at stake, I should

not hesitate a single moment;-but the thought of reducing the adored object of my affections to poverty -of being the means of bereaving her of the possessions of her ancestors, and depriving her of your favour, is so overwhelming, that I find myself quite unable to come to any conclusion at present. Heaven knows how much I could endure for her sake! but it is torture to me to think of her sacrificing so much for mine. Yet, to resign her for ever, is distraction. I repeat, it is impossible for me all at once to resolve upon a point on which the happiness of my life is at issue. Pray, allow me a few days to form my resolution, and believe it is my most earnest wish to gratify you in all possible ways. The regiment is on the point of embarking for Gibraltar; but I expect Brookes to take the command, and that I shall obtain leave to remain at home for the present. You shall hear from me again whenever I can summon resolution to cast the die. Meantime, you will, of course, suspend all farther proceedings. Believe

me,

66

My dear Uncle,

"Yours, with the sincerest esteem and affection, "F. M. H. DELMOUR.

"P.S.-You may rely upon my secrecy; and I agree with you that it is better Robert should not be made acquainted with what has passed—at present.' Here was "confirmation strong as proofs of holy writ," to the generous, confiding heart of Gertrude.

Yes! it was upon her account that he hesitated—it was for her happiness that he was tempted to sacrifice his own!-Ah! how little did he know her, if he deemed that wealth and grandeur could ever stand in competition with his affection-that, the peculiar treasure of her soul-that, the pearl of great price-the rest, was it not all mere earthly dross? Without that,

what were rank and fortune to her? But to share them to bestow them upon the chosen of her heart, was indeed a blissful privilege! And the whole tenor of her mind became bright as

The first blush of the sun-gilded air.

Impatient to vindicate the honour of her lover, she hastened to her mother's apartment. She found Mrs St Clair in the same posture in which she had so frequently observed her since the Earl's death-seated at a writing-table-her head resting on one hand—a pen in the other, as if meditating how to begin a letter, which after all this preparation, did not appear yet to have been commenced.

With cheeks glowing, and eyes sparkling with triumph and delight, Gertrude placed the packet in her hands. "Read these, mamma,' "" said she, in a tone of exultation" and if ever you had a doubt, surely these must satisfy you."

Mrs St Clair took the letters, and read them in silence; then, as she folded up the last, she said, with a sarcastic smile

"My doubts are indeed ended-I am now confirmed in what I have all along suspected: Colonel Delmour loved you from the first as the heiress of Rossville as the Countess of Rossville I have no doubt he will adore you.'

Gertrude was struck dumb: her mother went on"It is evident to me it would be to any one in their senses---that the only struggle here is caused by self-interest. He, like many other people, doubted whether Lord Rossville really possessed the power of disinheriting you; and he, therefore, prudently evades the question, until he has ascertained that point. It would have been selling his right, indeed, for a mess

of pottage, to have resigned the heiress to twenty thousand a-year for a paltry ten thousand pounds, and the payment of his tailor's bill; but, on the other hand

"It is enough," said Lady Rossville, as, with a burning cheek, and in a tone of wounded feeling, she collected the letters, and was turning to leave the

room.

"No, Gertrude, it is not enough," cried her mother, pointing to her to be seated; "sit down, and listen to me, at least with calmness, if not with respect—I will not be interrupted—I will be heard."

Her daughter seated herself in silence, but evidently struggling with her feelings.

"I cannot see you as I do, the dupe of an artful unprincipled man, without making an effort to open your eyes to the dangers of your situation-yet I own I almost despair when I behold you thus wilfully closing them against the light, which would carry conviction to any mind that was not the slave of its own delusions-yes, I repeat, it is clear as noonday that it is solely as the heiress of Rossville you are the object of Colonel Delmour's attachment. He hesitate about reducing the adored object of his affections to poverty! be distracted at the thoughts of bereaving her of the possessions of her ancestors !-stuff!-who that knows any thing of the character of the man would, for an instant, believe that he would hesitate about sacrificing the whole world, were it to promote his own interest? Gertrude, I would not unnecessarily pain you, but I consider it my duty to save you from the snares I see set for you.-Why should distrust me? What interest can I have in deceiving you, my child?"

you

"I know not-I cannot tell," said the Countess, with a sigh; "" "If I am distrustful

She stopped, but Mrs St Clair felt the reproach implied in her look and accent.

66 "Tis I who have made you so, you would sayyou can distrust me, your guide-your companionyour friend-your mother! Mrs St Clair's voice here faltered with emotion-"although you cannot even doubt the faith of one who, but a few months since, was an utter stranger to you.'

"But in those few months, what have I not learnt?" said Lady Rossville, in much agitation; "enough to make me sometimes doubt the evidence of my own senses-certainly enough to teach me to distrust even my own mother."

Mrs St Clair's face crimsoned.

"Beware how you provoke me, Gertrude!” cried she, with much vehemence: “I will endure no taunts or reproaches from you. Although, as Countess of Rossville, you may wish to forget what is due to me as your mother, I will not relinquish my claims to you as my daughter-I will be obeyed!" continued she, with increasing violence, "and I command you from henceforth to think of that man no more."

"Then you command me to do what is impossible," said the Countess, giving way to tears. "Oh, mamma! why will you force me to this alternative? Why must I be accounted rebellious undutiful — because I cannot see as you see, and think as you think? I call Heaven to witness, I would ever render to you the respect the reverence of a child; but I cannot—no, I cannot — yield you the submission of a slave."

"And where is the child who owes to a parent what you owe to me?" demanded Mrs St Clair, warmly; "where is the child possessed of such an inheritance of rank-of power of riches-of beauty --of talents?-and where is the mother who would