a-year, the haughty and royally descended dame gives daily orders for. The Morning Post tells us, in an extract from the journal of a celebrated watering-place, that "at a late bal costume, the great heiress Miss Dacres wore a dress which cost 16007." Whether this circumstance speaks most highly for her wealth or sense, we leave the reader to judge: indeed we have already stated her share of common sense to be extremely scanty; and knowing this, scepticism will perhaps be weaker on the subject of another report; namely, her approaching marriage with Wyndham Herbert, captain in His Majesty's regiment of foot guards. That the heiress and guardsman are now on the most affectionate terms, is quite certain ; they having met at Brighton soon after the general departure from Blore. That the lady's skill in taming the fire of a proud Bucephalus attracted the admiration of royalty on a late occasion is also true; and it is equally correct that Foley Ogle received his dismissal for not allowing himself to be driven to the races in her much-admired tandem. Extract of a letter from Frederick Burgoyne to Henry Nugent, Esq. Rome, Feb. 20, 182 IN fact, my dear Sir, you could not have done a wiser thing than to send him abroad, even had his bodily health not required a milder climate. For mental ills, we know there is no remedy so likely to avail, as constant change of scene, and the attentions of cheerful friendship. As to myself, whatever cause I may have for not being the gayest of human beings, I strive, on more accounts than one, to let no shade of melancholy appear when in the company of Hyde. I trust you will be gratified at the change in his spirits when you see him. I shall not permit his de parture from hence, till warmer weather sets in; and as I intend accompanying him as far as Paris, you need be under no apprehension that he will suffer from want of attention. Forgive me for declining your most kind invitation to Nugent Hall; if my present intentions hold, I shall this summer travel through Greece, nor indeed do I think it probable that England will ever see me again. I have gently broken to Hyde the communication your last letter contained. At first he shuddered; but as I proceeded, "Enough for one day, Frederic," he replied; "give me time to feel in some degree a less forcible remembrance of her-whom I cannot name. My father requires me to do justice, and attempt to heal a broken heart. What can mine be made of that I still exist ?— or does he think that even the devotion of my remaining life, with the sincerest esteem and friendship, can make up for the absence of a passion all should feel who marry, and which I can never, never, know again." I forbore to touch again upon the subject for some time, but we have since had many conversations, and I have no doubt his noble and generous disposition will at length admit the conviction of what his duty calls upon him to perform. His greatest fear seems to be, that not only love, but even esteem and regard for him have totally subsided in the heart of Augusta. Let him be but assured of the contrary, and allow him time, and I have no doubt that two people may be restored to happiness. The other parts of the letter referred to private matters, and particularly to the settlement of Hyde's gaming and other debts, which his fond father had contrived to discharge. L'ENVOY. AND now, fair and gentle readers, the Author takes his leave, in the certainty of having given offence in a quarter which little suspects his near neighbourhood. It was not the Author's intention, when he commenced this work, to introduce the personages to whom he alludes into its pages; but he has been induced to do so in the hope that one very dear friend may derive benefit from their warning voice; one, whose mind, though highly honourable, is unfixed: and it was with the wish of giving stability to that friend's character, that he has taken up, for the first time, the pen of the novel writer, as more likely to aid him in his aim than that of the moralist. END OF VOLUME III. PRINTED BY A. J. VALPY, |