say, in a tone so firm, yet so sad, as awed the Countess, even in spite of herself, and she remained passively waiting for what was to follow. "If we part thus, we may never meet again as we have done"-he stopped in some emotion, and then proceeded." Before I became your guardian I had learned to consider myself as your friend, and I had flattered myself the confidence you then honoured me with would have been continued, but it has not proved so; I appeal to yourself, Gertrude, has it ?"

For a moment Gertrude could not answer, but at length she said—

"My sentiments remain unchanged, but surely you might know enough of a London life to make allowance for any omissions I may have been guilty of."

"I have-I do make allowance for them," said Lyndsay;" I knew all the dangers that awaited one of your ardent, confiding, susceptible, but volatile nature-I knew that the adulation of the world would prove incense too intoxicating to be resisted by one who had not yet looked through the shallowness of earthly grandeur; I do not, therefore, reproach you with

your neglect, your unkindness, your almost boundless extravagance-these are faults that may yet be repaired-but broken promises and power misused-Ah! Gertrude, what can make up for these ?"

Lady Rossville made a gesture of impatience, as if to conceal her agitation, then said—

"I have already disclaimed the promise-the power is my own; I did not imagine I was accountable for it to Mr Lyndsay."

"No, Gertrude, you are accountable to a higher tribunal, even to God himself, for the choice make of his ministers. I am aware,

you

that in the world the appointment of a clergyman is reckoned a slight thing, but I view it differently, and, as your guardian, I protest against the choice you have made."

"It is too late," said Gertrude in a faltering voice.

"No, it cannot be too late. You have been misled, betrayed into one engagement at the expence of another. If you will give me leave, I will yet extricate you from it."

66

Impossible!" exclaimed the Countess, in an agitated tone, as she shrunk from the thoughts

of encountering Delmour's displeasure." Why then teaze me by prolonging this painful and needless discussion ?-I will not, I cannot, retract what I have done.'

"Ah! Gertrude, do not suffer a false principle of honour thus to sway all your better feelings. If no higher motive can influence you in this, at least let me conjure you by the friendship of former days, by the affection you bear your cousin, who loves you so tenderly, she will not believe in the possibility of your deceiving her"

Oh, Lyndsay, do not, do not torture me!" cried Gertrude, as she covered her face with her hand.

"It is to save you from the torture of an upbraiding conscience, dear Gertrude, that I thus afflict you. The happiness of two amiable interesting beings is in your hands; you are their only earthly stay at present; should you fail them, their disappointment may be bitter, but the reproaches of your own heart will be bitterer still."

Lady Rossville's heart heaved, and, in spite of her efforts to restrain them, tears burst from her eyes; but at that moment she thought she

heard Delmour's knock; she started up, and hastily brushed away the tear from her cheek:"Let there be an end of this," said she-" I can hear no more."

"Yes," said Lyndsay, seizing her hand to detain her, while his own shook with emotion་ you must hear yet more-you must hear me resign from henceforth the office of your guardian; 'tis a mockery I can no longer endure.”

Lady Rossville made no reply. A thousand contending feelings struggled in her breast, but she repressed them all with that force which is the result of conscious weakness, and with the calmness of one determined to do wrong, she merely bent her head in acquiescence.

"Should the time ever arrive when Lady Rossville, gay and prosperous as she now is, should want the aid or counsel of a friend,”—Lyndsay's voice faltered, but the Countess remained calm and motionless-" Gertrude, will you remember me ?"—But Gertrude averted her face to hide the anguish that filled her heart." At least, you will say Farewell' to me?"

"Farewell," said Gertrude, in an assumed tone of indifference, and without turning round.

Lyndsay dropped the hand he held in his, and in

another instant was gone.

It was then Gertrude's long-repressed feelings "Unkind, un

burst forth in all their violence.

just, ungrateful that I am!" exclaimed she to herself, as she wept in an agony of remorse.—“ I have lost the best, the truest friend, and he thinks me--Oh, what a cold-hearted, unfeeling wretch must he think me!-how must I have behaved, when even Lyndsay, the mild, forgiving, disinterested Lyndsay has renounced me!" But her sorrow and her self-reproaches were checked by the entrance of Delmour, who, after knocking, had stopped to speak to a friend who was passing, and while so engaged, Lyndsay had gone out. The cousins did not speak, but from the expression of his countenance, Delmour at once perceived he had no cause for jealousy.

But for the first time, the sight of her lover failed to bring pleasure to Gertrude, as she contrasted his gay triumphant mien with Lyndsay's mild, pleading look, and melancholy air, and when he accosted her with an exclamation of astonishment, she turned from him, as she thought, "It is he who has caused me to act thus !"