disagreeable as bricks, mortar, and carpenters about, even to those who have not to pay for them. Mr. Wyndham was one of those who is ever doing and has never done the slave of ten thousand imaginary necessities, which proved an equal drain upon his purse, and upon the patience of his clear-sighted and very sensible wife.

His

Of his plans, however, she was in general kept in pretty complete ignorance, for he belonged to that weak species of characters who are most particularly jealous of interference, and of every kind of influence-not excluding even the influence of reason. wife, therefore, after a few ineffectual efforts gently to impel in a right direction one with understanding so far inferior to her own, had yielded up the point, and had employed herself in quietly endeavouring to remedy such evils of importance as arose, or to endure with good humour such trivial ones as were perpetually occurring.

But the false and irksome position which she occupied had produced an effect upon her character not altogether to have been desired.

She was silent in her habits; cold, and almost severe in her general aspect; cherished within her own mind a thorough disgust of life, and was very little liked, understood, or appreciated.

The only thing she cared for upon earth was Emilia and such was the view she had taken of a woman's position in society, that she looked upon her rather as the destined victim of unavoidable and irritating evils, than as the hopeful candidate for love and happiness. Her time and efforts were employed in endeavouring to strengthen and fortify the mind of the young and imaginative girl, to lower her expectations, strengthen her powers of endurance, and prepare her for that existence which she had herself found to be such a cheat.

It was fortunate that Emilia's temper was so cheerful and hopeful that it resisted the baneful influence which such views might have exercised over her habits of mind, so that, while well disciplined and prepared for the combat, her spirits were buoyant, as if she had already gained the victory.

They entered the dining-room, and sat down to supper, which was almost as elaborate as a modern dinner, and differing from it chiefly in the circumstance that all the viands were disposed upon the table at once. Emilia and Colonel Lenox sat on each side of Mrs. Wyndham; the strange gentleman by the master of the house.

The two parties did not much amalgamate at first, or join in conversation. Mr. Wyndham and his guest talked in a low voice to each other; the three others cheerfully discussed any trifling matters before them.

The general composure and tranquillity were first interrupted by Mr. Wyndham addressing his wife in a vexed, fretful manner with

"I was promised some grouse for supper to-night, and here is only an odious roast fowl."

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Why, I am very sorry you should be disappointed, Mr. Wyndham," was the reply, "but when the man asked half-a-guinea a brace for them, I really felt inclined to be

shabby, and send him away without his reckoning."

"Every thing one particularly likes is always half-a-guinea a brace with women,' was the muttered reply, accompanied by a slight sneer of intelligence to his guest, who however made no answer to the appeal, either by word or gesture.

"What have you there before you, ma'am?" Sweetbreads."

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Humph!- Emilia, is that an apricot

tart?"

"No, papa-cherry, I think."

"Are apricots, too, madam, half-a-guinea a half-dozen, because I rather expressed a wish for some, I think, yesterday?—but it's no matter. Luckily," addressing his friend, "I am no epicure; it being no longer the fashion, as in my father's days, for ladies to superintend the preparations for their husbands' comforts. Much better employed they are now; since the sex have become intellectual, and meddle with metaphysics and politics, and read Rousseau and d'Alembert,

a noble contempt for these trifling matters has arisen, and it is fortunate for those who can fancy black-broth."

"Well," said Colonel Lenox, "self-denial is the last virtue I should think necessary to practise in this house. Here is some excellent looking stuff before me; let me send you some of it."

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"Savoury jelly!-sham!" was the contemptuous answer. Biggs," to his butler, "cut me a slice of that ham, and give me a glass of Burgundy. I have a little choice wine here," turning again to his guest; you try it?"

" will

"With pleasure." And, turning to Emilia, he asked "Won't you take wine?"

She accepted, and pledged him; and as she did so, a soft and very agreeable smile for an instant gave sweetness to the cynical mouth.

He looked as if he very much wished to enter into conversation with her, but did not exactly know how to begin. At last, with some abruptness, he inquired whether she ever came to London.

She had been there only for very short