This was said in a sportive manner, which made Gertrude look upon it as a jest.

"Then I may scarcely expect to be acknowledged by you to-night," said she, in the same tone.

66

Perhaps it would be your ruin also were you to be seen in Lady Augusta's box talking to, or, it may be, handing out a Scotch cousin."

Colonel Delmour looked grave.

"You will really oblige me," said he, “if you will decline going into public for a day or two; although I have been talking mere nonsense on the subject, yet, I do assure you, a first introduction is of more consequence than you at present are aware of."

"Consequence !" repeated Gertrude, contemptuously; "if I am not entitled to be of conse quence on my own account, I certainly do not wish to derive it from Lady Charles Arabin."

"You mistake the matter entirely, dearest Gertrude; I am desirous you should appear with that effect which you are so well entitled to produce, but which you will derive much more from your beauty and your grace than from your rank. I cannot exactly make one so unsophisticated as you

comprehend the arbitrary and capricious mechanism of the fashionable world."

"No, pray do not attempt it. I am sure I shall never be fashionable. Ah! Delmour, it was not thus we talked and felt at dear Rossville! What was the world to us there ?"

"Would to Heaven we were there now!" said Delmour, echoing her sigh; "but you mistake me, Gertrude; it is not that I place the world in competition with you, but that I abhor the thoughts of your preference for me, lowering you in the slightest degree. You have every thing that entitles you to take the first place in the best society; but, absurd as it seems, I must candidly confess to you, that my family, although high in rank and fair in character, cannot do you justice in that respect. I keep clear of all that sort of thing; but if once you get into their circle, you will be shackled eternally with bad parties and acquaintances that will keep all the best people aloof; for instance, Lady Augusta would introduce the girls into the Burlington set; the consequence is, they are eternally followed by men with whom 1 don't associate; in short, secondary men, whom they are forced to smile on faute de mieux; but that

must not be with you, Gertrude-you have already given up too much for me; do not, as you love me, add yet more to the self-reproach I sometimes feel for having suffered you to sacrifice so much."

"The feeling is a generous, a noble one; but I cannot help thinking it a mistaken one," said the Countess: "but, since you are so scrupulous, I shall yield the point; make me then, what you will, only, pray don't make me a fine lady."

Colonel Delmour was all rapture and gratitude, and only left her to go and inform his mother, that Lady Rossville had caught cold, and was unable to fulfil her engagements; his sisters visited her in the course of the day, and Gertrude blushed with shame as she attempted to confirm the falsehood.

"I half suspect," said Georgiana, laughing, "that Master Fred. has been telling you that mama is not fashionable; he is so admired and recherché himself, that we think he gives himself airs: so, pray don't encourage him, or you will spoil him entirely."

"It is so provoking," said Miss Emily, "that

he won't allow you to go with us; for, I can see, it is he that prevents you from going with us to Kitchner's this morning, he has some such exquisite things just now!-things really to die for !" with a deep sigh.

"Since that is the case," said Gertrude, smil

ing,

"I am fortunate in having escaped the danger: but, if you are not afraid to encounter it, you shall each of you choose something for me, according to your own taste, and then I shall see how far we agree."

"How happy you must be, who can afford to choose what you like!" said both sisters, sorrowfully.

"For, to-day, I devolve my happiness upon you," said Lady Rossville; "only remember to choose exactly what you should like for yourselves."

The sisters departed, delighted with the commission, and not without some latent suspicion as to the result of their choice, which was verified by each receiving the very handsome and expensive articles of jewellery they had selected.

VOL. III.

CHAPTER X.

The stage is pleasant, and the way seems short,
All strew'd with flowers;

The days appear but hours,

Being spent in time beguiling sport.

Here griefs do neither press, nor doubts perplex;
Here's neither fear to curb, nor care to vex.

QUARLES.

PERHAPS no woman ever heard another highly commended by her lover, without feeling, at least, a slight sensation of pique and jealousy, and something of this sort Gertrude had begun to cherish against Lady Charles Arabin before she saw her. She was, therefore, prepared to receive her with something of the air and manner with which a pretty spoiled child might be supposed to welcome its governess; and, unknown to herself, there was a tournure of the head, a colour on the cheek, a slight pout on the lip, when that Lady and Colonel Delmour were an