But though restored to the enjoyment of her mind, and so far happier, this excellent young person was any thing but easy. She was distressed at seeing her father, not only, as she thought, sinking, but sinking from causes which brought not along with them the consolations of respect. Over this, therefore, she drew a veil, as close as her understanding would permit; and she listened eagerly to any surmises that could flatter her with the hope that the fate of Lord Mowbray was commiserated in the world. To this point, indeed, her information did not reach; but the letters of Lady Clanellan began to look as if there was an opinion that he had been ill-treated, and even betrayed by those he had most trusted, especially by Lord Cleveland, and his now proclaimed friend and confident, Mr. Clayton.

This information accounted for the change of conduct and protracted absence of the latter.

The immediate moment of the disgrace of Lord Mowbray had been one of agony to Mr. Clayton. The coldness of Lord Oldcastle, during the interviews he had with him, as a go-between, had killed all his hope, and filled him with terror. His place under Lord Mowbray,

of course fell. That given by Lord Oldcastle would, he supposed, follow; and his seat in parliament only became miserably embarrassing from not knowing how to vote. Should he still side with the government, he must sink under the meanness of his conduct to his patron ; if with Lord Mowbray, and Lord. Mowbray in opposition, he was infallibly proscribed by the government.

There was but one plan to extricate himself from this dilemma, which was, to persuade Lord Mowbray, if possible, still to give his support to the ministers, or at least not to join the opposition; and the hope of success in this was adroitly managed with Lords Cleveland and Oldcastle, so as to suspend, at least, the determination to expel him from his sinecure.

Nor was the task he had undertaken altogether so difficult. He talked of the dignity of not going into opposition out of resentment; of the high character for disinterestedness which Lord Mowbray might now achieve; as well as the possibility that such conduct might, sooner or later, bring him back to office. This latter topic was certainly cogent; and his patron thought, with him, that it was but wise not to

close the door for ever upon his return. In fact, Lord Mowbray remained neutral, and Mr. Clayton preserved his place.

But greater things were still in store for him. Lord Cleveland, one of whose most kindling objects was an extension of parliamentary influence, thought this an excellent opportunity to mature his designs upon the seat at Wellsbury; and as Lord Mowbray, by the help of Clayton, had ravished it from De Vere, so Lord Cleveland, through the same Clayton, might ravish it from Lord Mowbray. As there was no difficulty from the sitting member, a treaty was therefore the instant consequence, by which all Mr. Clayton's influence and services were transferred to Lord Cleveland, and protection promised in return. This not only saved him from all fear of final dismissal, but gave new life and vigour to his prospects; for Lord Cleveland, when with the minister, enlarged upon the advantage of possessing such an instrument of preserving Lord Mowbray's support, as a reason for fresh favour to Clayton.

Lord Oldcastle, who, we have said, was a keen observer, accepted the treason, but abused the traitor. Lord Cleveland, in reply, said, he must take men as he found them; and with

this convenient mode of reconciling things, favour was promised. As Lord Mowbray made no secret of his wrongs, or of his resentment, men wondered at this. But they only wondered; and the machine went on.

It was at this crisis Wentworth and De Vere, after rapidly traversing France, landed at Dover.

CHAPTER XXII.

DISAPPOINTED AMBITION.

His grief grew puissant, and the strings of life

Began to crack.

SHAKSPEARE.

How few have ever left their country or their home for only three months, and returned to find them unchanged! The course of eventsfortune, reputation, health, the affections, ancient alliances-all are acted upon by time. Let those be happy and proportionably thankful, who, even after so short an absence, find all as it should be.

We may suppose how eager the travellers were in their inquiries after events at home, the moment they arrived at any source of intelligence. At Paris, the only thing they learned from the ambassador was, that Lord Mowbray had resigned, but still gave his support to go