"Impossible!" exclaimed Lyndsay, while a flush passed over his face, and he was for a moment silent; he then added, in a calmer tone, 66 I trust I am no one's enemy-I wish well to all mankind, and so far I may style myself the friend of all; but, with some characters, farther I cannot go."

Lady Rossville coloured deeply, and remained silent; but, from her look and air, she was evidently displeased.

"You distrust me, Gertrude," said Lyndsay, at length breaking silence, "and that is worse than being afraid of me."

"I am, perhaps, too little distrustful of any one," answered she-" it is not my nature to suspect evil-I hope it never will surely there are other marks by which we may know those who love us, than any that base suspicion can furnish us with."

"Yes, and here is one," said Lyndsay, taking a book from amongst a mass of French novels which lay upon the sofa-table. It was the Life of Colonel Hutchinson-and Lyndsay had begun to read it to her before Colonel Delmour's arrival, since when it had lain neglected-" here is a pic

ture of true and faithful love; who studies that may soon learn to distinguish the real from the counterfeit ;" and he read that simple description of the perfection of human attachment with an emotion which showed how deeply he felt it.

"There is this only to be recorded, that never was there a passion more ardent and less idolatrous he loved her better than his life, with inexpressible tendernesse and kindnesse-had a most high and obliging esteeme of her yet still considered honour, religion, and duty, above her, nor ever suffered the intrusion of such dotage, as should blind him from marking her imperfections; these he looked on with such an indulgent eye, as did not abate his love and esteeme of her, while it augmented his love, and blotted out all those spots which might make her appeare lesse worthy of that respect he paid her.” *

He laid down the book, but Lady Rossville made no comment—she continued to busy herself arranging some fine forced flowers, which had just been brought her, in a vase, and seemed to give

* Life of Colonel Hutchinson.

her whole attention to them. This continued for some minutes, and Lyndsay made no attempt to interrupt her; but, on hearing the sound of a carriage, she raised her head, and saw the phaton driven by Colonel Delmour, and drawn by four beautiful horses, followed by two grooms, mounted on two of the same set. A throb of pride and pleasure was felt at her heart, as she looked at the elegant bauble which had stopped opposite the saloon; and as she threw open the sash with childish delight, Delmour called to her, to know if she was ready. She answered in the affirmative, and was leaving the room to put on her things, when Lyndsay said—

"Is it thus, then, we are to part, Gertrude, after all the pleasant friendly days we have passed together ?"

Lady Rossville stopped, and turned towards him—“ You are not serious in thinking of leaving us to-day ?"

“I am, indeed, perfectly so."

"At least, stay till to-morrow-this is such a strange hurried way of leaving us-pray, give us one day more ?"

"I would give you many days if they could be

of service to you, but that cannot be; forgive me, my dear cousin, if I have pained you-farewell -God bless you."

Gertrude's heart swelled, and the tear started to her eye, as she returned the affectionate pressure of her cousin's hand-but she repressed her emotion

"You will come again soon," said she-but Lyndsay made no reply, and they parted.

"I fear I have not done as I ought," thought Gertrude with a sigh, but in another moment the thought was gone, and she was seated by her lover. The equipage was perfect, the day was beautiful, all was gaiety and brightness-Colonel Delmour was more than usually delightful, and Lyndsay was forgotten.

CHAPTER VIII.

Serment d'aimer toujours, ou de n'aimer jamais, me paroit un peu téméraire.

VOLTAIRE.

SEVERAL days passed in the same manner, and every day some new scheme of useless profusion was suggested by Colonel Delmour, and adopted by the Countess. New stables must be built to accommodate the additional number of horses he declared to be absolutely necessary; the present billiard-room was inconvenient, a new one would cost a mere trifle; there was no good music-room, and there was no living in the country without a private theatre; the present library might be turned into a conservatory, and the smooth green bank, which sloped gradually down to the river, must be changed into an Italian garden, with hanging terraces and marble fountains, and he