objection I can think of is, that, if we understood him rightly, his mother is governess, or companion, or something of that sort, in some nobleman's family;-I hope she's not like Miss Wilson!"

"You may be satisfied, then, that she is not; for Lady Augusta told me all about it, and it is quite a particular case: it is in the Marquis of Hampton's family. He had but one daughter, to whom Mrs. Vandeleur went rather as a second mother, when the marchioness died, than as a governess she continued with her always, and moved in the first circles with her. The young lady is now married, and Mrs. Vandeleur continues to reside with her, and is held in the highest respect and estimation."

"Oh! this does indeed seem a distinct business from a mere common governess. But I wonder, then, why Vandeleur thought it necessary to bring it out as he did,—for it certainly seemed to me to be done for the express purpose of giving us information which he seemed

to apprehend might not be pleasing; and it was at the same time that he spoke of himself being a soldier of fortune. He took the opportunity, too, when only papa, you and I, and Mr. Mason were present, as if to spare Miss Wilson -and he certainly coloured when he mentioned it all this looked as if he himself felt it a degradation."

"He looked as if he was what he is, the noblest and most upright of men! How well I know why he mentioned it all in that way! -not only that we might know the worst that any one could think of it, but that we might find it so much better in reality than he represented it."

"Well, that was a little Quixotic, too: how will he look if he has given my father a prejudice he cannot remove ?"

"You don't think he has, Herbert? I do assure you, I have not exaggerated in the least Lady Augusta's account of it; she even said that they were known to be people of good con

nexions; and you know Lady Augusta, though not, I think, exquisitely high bred herself, has been lately in very high society in London."

for

"She has, I believe, and is a very good and shrewd judge in these matters; and, happily you, I don't think my father cares a fig for them; and I know he will have confidence enough in me to make a considerable addition to your fortune."

An affectionate kiss from Gertrude expressed at once her happiness and thanks; and they were proceeding homewards, now perfectly silent, lost in their own sweet thoughts, and innocent plans for a continuance of happiness, which had never yet experienced a cloud; and probably offering up the incense of their young hearts' gratitude for their being so favoured amongst men, when Gertrude, perhaps from that very reflection, suddenly exclaimed

"Oh! Herbert! did you remember to ride over to read to the poor old dying woman who

begged to see you as the clergyman was absent ?"

"No; indeed I am ashamed to say I did not, and I do not deserve the happiness I enjoy; but I shall yet have time this lovely evening, while you and Vandeleur row about the lake, and I think my father must have released him from the dining-room before now; so, good-bye."

"Good-bye, dearest, dearest brother! but if you knew how dreadfully the thought of leaving you takes from my happiness in the prospect before me!"

Silly girl! you will not leave me. Great haste as you are in, very possibly it is I who shall leave you, to enter college. You are not married yet, remember, for all our wise saws." And away he flew.

How had Major Vandeleur been employed while his fate was thus settled by his two youthful and innocent admirers?

For some time he was detained by Mr. Evelyn

in the dining-room; but as he was not anxious to render himself particularly agreeable this lovely evening within doors, in a room heated with the fumes of dinner and of wine, when he guessed that the lady of his love was enjoying far different perfumes without, he was soon released. Failing however in tracing her steps amidst the intricacies of Beauton, he retired to the summer sitting-room, which by custom had become almost exclusively sacred to Gertrude and Herbert, and there sat down to console himself for their absence by writing a letter to his mother, which we shall take the liberty of presenting to our readers.

Letter from Major Vandeleur to his Mother. "MY DEAR MOTHER;

66

Many thanks for your kind letter and present, or letter and kind present, I care not which way you place the adjective, for I assure you one was as acceptable to me as the other. I plead guilty to your charge of having been a