the possessor of Talbois, was a very different person from the youth "who gained nothing under his brother but growth;" and though Lord Mowbray's intentions towards him were unknown, there was no reason to believe that he could be displeased if Dr. Herbert should now interpose with all the influence he could command, to promote and finish an education which it was supposed had been so shamefully neglected.

Lord Mowbray, in fact, himself joined the party at Talbois, within a few days of its being formed, and poured out many effusions of kindness to both his sister and nephew; one of whom he had not seen for years, the other, never. His astonishment at the appearance and character of Mortimer, who had been represented to him as an ignorant, vulgar, and ungovernable clown, may be conceived. His compliments upon the subject to Lady Eleanor, and indeed to the youth himself, were in proportion; and he could not sufficiently felicitate them and himself, on the benefit of having Dr. Herbert on the spot, to direct their views in regard to the future destiny of the remaining De Vere. As for Harclai, though entitled, he said, as a man of family and education to some respect, he thought he had

been much too long out, of the world to have a voice regarding any thing in it. And as for Penruddock, to whom he was introduced, he considered him little better than an ourangoutang, utterly incapable of forming, much less of delivering an opinion upon that, or indeed upon any subject.

It is difficult to look into the heart of man, particularly that of a common-place politician. Though Lord Mowbray's visit was attributed by his sister, and perhaps by his nephew, solely to kindness, there might be other motives quite as powerful, though not equally ostensible for

the movement.

We have said that in the wreck of the principal estates of the De Vere family, the influence in a certain borough for which the elder De Vere had sat, had been preserved. Now, if there was one thing upon which Lord Mowbray piqued himself more than another, it was in the management of a borough interest; and as Mortimer was a minor, and several years must elapse before he could succeed his brother in the seat, supposing the interest to be preserved, the crisis seemed to require peculiar vigilance in some one of the family to prevent this solitary, but valuable pearl, from being ravished from its pos

sessor, and, so far, diminishing the personal consequence with the first minister of the great Lord Mowbray himself. It became therefore doubly essential to him to pay a visit to Talbois; for it was necessary for him to ascertain the personal character and views of his nephew, when he should be old enough to use his family interest; and to fix upon a proper person, with all proper caution, to represent the family in the meantime. No virtue forbade this, nor do we blame Lord Mowbray either for his anxiety or activity in the matter; and if the minister set both down to zeal in the common cause of government, while Lady Eleanor set it down to kindness for herself and son, how could Lord Mowbray prevent the misunderstanding? We will not positively say that there might not have been even another, or something approaching to the semblance of another object respecting the seat, mixed up, insensibly as it were, with the other two, and which rather flitted before Lord Mowbray's parliamentary vision, than embodied itself practically in his intentions. But of this, hereafter. At present, these objects were only visionary; and, left to himself, he had not courage enough to pursue the prospect; for he was in fact on this subject, in the situation of

the half-plunged Macbeth, when reproached by his bolder consort with being like the " poor cat i' the adage."

The result, therefore was, that like a good prochain ami, he took charge of the De Vere interest with proper and successful zeal; and his private secretary, Mr. Bromfield, a gentleman recommended to him by the prime minister, was pitched upon to represent the borough until De Vere should be of age to come forward himself.

CHAPTER X.

OPPOSING THEORIES.

Out of your proof you speak; we poor unfledged,
Have never wing'd from view of the nest, nor know
What air's from home.

SHAKSPEARE.

AND now a conclave sat at Talbois, in the presence of De Vere, and Lady Eleanor, upon the future plans and education of that youth.

The counsellors were all assembled in Lady Eleanor's drawing-room up stairs, in which she had now established herself. She and Lord Mowbray preserved a sort of state, in two ponderous arm chairs, of ancient crimson velvet; while the President, who was a great peripatetic, paced the room up and down in his argument. Harclai, sometimes, accom panied him, in the eagerness of his replies; but for the most part sat with his chin on his hands, which were folded while they rested for support