getting ninety thousand pounds. They immediately quitted the metropolis, and, accompanied by Mr. Villeroy and a few friends, repaired to the magnificent seat of Eure Castle, where they were received with every demonstration of joy, and where Lady Fitzwalter, copying the virtues: of its deceased owner; was soon as much beloved as her Lord was disliked. A total change took place in the household arrangements; the old servants, who had hoped to pass the remainder of their days. within the Castle, were dismissed to adjoining cottages, and were it not for Lady Fitzwalter, had not probably been allowed to remain on the estate. But though her Ladyship made it a rule never to interfere in the concerns of her Lord, without it was his desire, she could not behold this unnecessary, and, as she secretly thought, unkind change, without feeling a wish to alleviate it as far as in her power. Her marriage settlement was noble; for however his Lordship might wish the contrary,

it was impossible it could be otherwise ;; nor had he the authority of restraining her disposal of it in whatever manner she pleased. Her Ladyship, therefore, acted on this occasion with the same kindness which she exemplified at every opportu nity where it was required. She purchased. a range of cottages, wherein she comfortably placed those old servants, and considering them as her pensioners, provided for them accordingly. This first display of her bounty procured her the love of every one round the Castle; and her subsequent attention to their wants, her protection of the little children, her zeal to relieve the distressed, and her gentle deportment to her inferiors as well as superiors, established her in the hearts of the people, and they looked on her Ladyship as the kind and lovely representative of their dear lamented Lord.

Mr. Villeroy found the air round Eure Castle agree with him, and remained there

-3:

longer

longer than he had at first intended. His sister took notice that of late he was uncommonly low spirited, and that it was caused by some letters he had received from London. She could not fix on any friend of his, within her knowledge, whose correspondence appeared to her likely to produce that effect. That they could be on no business of a hostile nature, she was tolerably certain; and that he was not engaged in any love affair, she believed. He had once been very partial to a young lady, a Miss Howard, who had been a very favourite acquaintance also of Lady Fitzwalter's, when Miss Villeroy, and she was equally partial to her brother; but the very bad state of his health obliging him at that time to go to Barege, the business rested there; and at their return from thence Miss Howard had left England' with her father, who had gone as private secretary to France, with the English Ambassador; nor had her Ladyship noticed her brother mentioning, in any particular

manner,

manner, the name of Marianne Howard since their return. Indeed, the state of his health led her to suppose he never would marry, as he often, in conversation with her, gave it as an objection against his ever doing so; and this was also understood by Lord Fitzwalter, on their closer intimacy, and on which he founded the golden prospect he already grasped in idea.

The uneasiness of Villeroy, however, rather seemed to increase than diminish; his sister tenderly enquired the cause, expressing her fears that he was not as well as he pretended to be.

"Indeed, my loved Caroline," would he say, "your fears are at this time groundless; I feel myself better in health here than I did in London, or even any place since I left Barege; but how long I may continue so," would he add, with a half smile, "is uncertain. I hoped all my

cares

cares in this world were over, when I saw

you under the protection of a worthy man, and to life I was indifferent; for though in possession of every worldly blessing which affluence could give, the debility of my frame prevented me enjoying it, and in the midst of a happiness I have been miserable. Yet," would he continue, "I now wish to live, not on my own account, but

"But what, my beloved Augustus?" as tenderly taking his hand, Lady Fitzwalter's expressive eyes spoke more enquiry than her words.

"There is a person, my Caroline," answered he, "for whose sake I would wish to live a little longer-a person whose affection for me deserves to be rewarded as far as in my power-whose constitution has been impaired.-Do not think me vain, Caroline," he continued; "you know I am not; and when I tell you it has been the fate of a lovely amiable woman to select me as the object of her tenderest affec