moment, imagine that I would submit to what you have witnessed ?" and tears of passion dropt from her eyes.

"Still less can I imagine any cause which can make you submit to it," said the Countess; "and it is impossible that I should-I will not—I cannot do it, be the consequences what they may."

At that moment her maid entered, to say her Ladyship's carriage was waiting, and while she spoke, the rain fell like a water-spout.

"That is enough-let it wait," said her mistress, who, in the tumult of her mind, forgot all feelings of humanity for man or beast. The Abigail withdrew, to agree with Mr Thompson that something strange was certainly going on, but what, they could not divine-the gentleman in the saloon had ordered up some luncheon for himself, and was eating and drinking to his heart's content, while the ladies were above stairs all in tears. ""Twas strange, 'twas passing stranger!"

No sooner was this interruption over, than Mrs St Clair exclaimed, “Go-go then-but I will also go—not in my carriage, attended as you are, but even as I am, on foot, and alone, with

out even a cloak to cover me.-It is no idle threat-I here solemnly swear, that if you this day leave your house, I, too, leave it-never to return!"

It required no very high feelings of filial duty to turn with horror from such an alternativeaggravated as it was by every circumstance which could give effect to the picture-her mother but lately recovered from a severe illness, and yet far from well-driven from her daughter's house -exposed to the inclemency of the weather-it was too dreadful to be dwelt upon.-Lady Rossville felt as though her senses would forsake her, and she said, in a vacant dejected manner, "Do what you will."-Mrs St Clair seized her daughter's hands, and pressed them repeatedly to her lips, calling her at the same time by every endearing epithet; but Gertrude sat in passive endurance, and as if scarcely conscious of the caresses lavished upon her. Her mother then rung for her maid to dismiss the carriage, and ordered her to bring some drops from her dressing-room for the Countess, who had been overcome, she said, at sight of an old friend of her father's;

and having both administered and partaken of them, she saw her laid upon a couch to rest, and leaving her in charge of Masham, she returned to the saloon to her guest.

CHAPTER XX.

But that shall gall thee most,

Will be the worthless and vile company

With whom thou must be thrown into these straits.

DANTE.

O doux momens d'horreur empoisonnés !

ALZIRE.

THE hour of dinner came, and when Mrs St Clair returned to her daughter's dressing-room, she found her as she had left her, extended upon a couch, and deaf to all Miss Masham's hints of dressing. Mrs St Clair dismissed the maid, and then, in a soothing voice, said, " Gertrude, my dearest-you will come to dinner.-I have had a long conversation with Lewiston-he has promised not to offend you with the bluntness of his American manners; but you ought to make allowance for them-he is an independent citizen of a republican state, where all, you know, is liberty and equality-but he means no offence, and will endeavour to adapt himself more to our

notions of propriety while he remains, which I expect will be for a very short time."

"While he remains, I shall keep my own. apartment," said Gertrude, without raising her head.

66

Impossible!" exclaimed Mrs St Clair in agitation, "he will never consent-that is-I cannot consent-dearest Gertrude, if you would not have me on my knees again, rise and come with me."

Lady Rossville sighed heavily, and rose.

"You will suffer Masham, my love, to dress

"No-I will not be dressed to-day," said the Countess in an absolute manner.

"At least, you will have your hair arranged a little, my love ?"

"I will go as I am," said Lady Rossville, in the same self-willed tone, 66 or not at all."

Mrs St Clair saw it would not do to contend; she gave up the point, and, accompanied by her daughter, descended to the dining-room.

Lady Rossville's appearance certainly was not in unison with the pomp, and order, and highkeeping of everything that surrounded her; her