since you will not write to me, and I must know when you will be disengaged.”

66

Spoken like a guardian, indeed!" said the Countess, with an affected laugh; "but since you must know, I must candidly confess, that I really cannot, at this precise moment, recollect what my engagements are-To-morrow, I know I made a party to go to Richmond by water to breakfast. I wish to get out of the way of the debris of to-night."

"And what follows ?"

"Why, we shall probably dine there, and return in the evening, when I have several engagements."

"And the day after to-morrow-can I see you then ?"

I rather

"What day is that?-Friday. think-yes, indeed, I remember now I engaged to give Tournerelli a sitting at a very early hour, and as I forgot once before, if I fail this time, he will certainly make a Gorgon or a Medusa of me. But you will join our party to Richmond to-morrow, and then we can talk it all over-pray do." Lyndsay sighed. "Ah, Gertrude, what changed days since those we passed at Rossville toge

ther! I little thought then you would have grudged half an hour from your pleasures to bestow upon your friend !"

"You surely would not have me break my engagements ?" said the Countess, with some pique. "On the contrary, it was to remind you of them that chiefly brought me here," said Lyndsay mildly, but gravely; "but I would have you choose the lesser evil-that which will give least pain to others. Your gay friends will not break their hearts I dare say, although you should disappoint them to-morrow; but there are others, Gertrude, with whom you have made engagements of more consequence, and whose happiness is in your hands-it is for them I would intercede."

Lady Rossville coloured deeply, and rising, said, "It will have rather a ridiculous effect for you and I to be found sitting here in grave debate, discussing our parish business in the ballroom-the place is, at least, as ill chosen as the time," added she somewhat haughtily as she moved away. For a moment Lyndsay seemed too much hurt to reply, but recollecting himself, he said

"Upon my own account, I certainly would not intrude where I am evidently so unwelcome, but I have undertaken a task which I must perform; I have engaged to remind Lady Rossville of her promise—and more, to get that promise fulfilled."

The Countess remained silent, but her countenance betrayed the agitation of her mind. At that moment the knocker sounded an alarm.

"You have refused to fix an hour to see me," said Lyndsay; "I will therefore name one to wait upon you-to-morrow at one I will be here." Gertrude made no reply, but hurried forward to receive Lady Charles, Colonel Delmour, and a succession of friends, who now came pouring in.

A

Delmour's astonishment at sight of Lyndsay could only be equalled by his dissatisfaction, and the meeting on both sides was cold and distant. Mrs St Clair now made her appearance, Lady Augusta and her daughters followed, and Lyndsay was soon overwhelmed with expressions of surprise and pleasure from all quarters, but he contrived to disengage himself from them, and disappeared.

pose,"

"Lyndsay has been giving you a godly exhortation against the sinfulness of dancing, I sup"said Delmour, as he led Gertrude to open "and you look almost as grave as though you had the fear of the kirk-session before your eyes."

the ball;

Gertrude smiled, and the exhilarating effects of the music, and all the concomitants of a brilliant ball, soon dispelled the unpleasant thoughts which Lyndsay's appearance had excited. All was enchantment-while it lasted-and the Countess believed she was happy.

But the morrow told another tale, when she awoke to the realities of life, and found the delusion had vanished, leaving only dust and rubbish to mark where it had been. It was near the hour when Lyndsay had said he was to call, but she had not promised to receive him. It was disagreeable to see anybody that morning-her head achedher house was in confusion-her servants were all stupid with wine or sleep-nothing was as it ought to be; then two o'clock was the hour when she was to set off for Richmond, and she should be so hurried!-No, it was impossible-quite impossible-it was unreasonable to expect that she should

be able to enter on business all at once so wholly unprepared, and she resolved to send her excuse; but just then her maid entered to say that Mr Lyndsay was below, but as he was in no hurry, begged her Ladyship might not be disturbed. There was no evading this, and, with a mixture of haste and delay, she prepared for the interview.