working contrivances of my sex, and I am so utterly at a loss what to say to the generality of young ladies of my own age, that I am sure my society is as unpleasant to them as theirs is to myself. At home I never can feel désœuvré ; in the first place, and that implies every place, and every power of charm, I enjoy your society, and while you are otherwise engaged, I have there my own pursuits and enjoyments, of which I cannot grow tired, at least not so long as I hope to see you return, and approve and admire what I have been planning or putting into effect, either as regards our garden or the cultivation of the few talents I possess."

"You know, my dear Mabel, I always admire

every thing you do: so let us go home again, dear, I cannot bear the idea of your being bored."

Lady Herbert felt quite happy at her husband's kind manner, and flattered herself that this passing cloud to her felicity had blown over; but, just as they were making their last adieus to the Gregories, Lord Herbert said, as if a sudden thought had struck him—

"By the way, that comical fellow, Crookshanks, comes to me next Saturday. I am sure he will amuse you, Mabel; he has all the poets by heart, and it is irresistibly droll to see him twitching about his hideous features with all the love sentiments coming out of his mouth. Do, Tom, there's a good fellow, do come and meet him; we will pledge him till he is up in alt, and we shall have inimitable fun, depend upon it. We can ride over to Tracey's and see his kennel next day; and I am sure Lady Herbert will be delighted if Sir Gregory and Lady Gregory will join our party."

Lady Herbert was so astonished, that she actually did not know what to reply.

"And, by the way," resumed Lord Herbert, "Mabel is quite alone in the barouche, perhaps Miss Gregory would kindly come with us now."

66 Yes," said Lady Herbert, at a loss what to say, "I am quite alone." And she was obliged to second her husband's proposal. Although she could not account for his strange infatuation in regard to the Gregories, and that

after having told him she was exceedingly tired of their society, and requested as the greatest favour to go back to Moreton Park; that he should suddenly prolong the annoyance of which she complained, was a caprice she could not account for; but there was no opportunity afforded her of representing the dislike she felt to the Gregory society, or of entreating her husband to defer the evil day of their visit;-neither had she

any ground of complaint against the ladies of the family, except that unanswerable one— 'she did not like them.' So the matter ended

by Miss Gregory's accompanying Lady Herbert in her barouche, and the rest of the family being engaged to come in a few days and take her back. Lady Herbert had thought it hard to be alone, that is to say, to have been left by her husband the morning of their arrival at Mount Easton; but now her mind was out of tune, and the presence of an indifferent person was irksome to her beyond endurance. Miss Gregory, however, though one of those persons who might be called commonplace, had a good deal of common sense, which served her very well for daily use, and, on the present

occasion, prevented her making herself more disagreeable to Lady Herbert than her actual presence effected. She remained silent after the first two or three efforts to engage her companion in conversation, and once arrived at Moreton Park, Lady Herbert could not avoid paying her the courtesies due to any guest in her own house, so that the goodnatured Miss Gregory only supposed Lady Herbert had felt disinclined to talk, and that now she should find her the same charming person she had thought her at Mount Easton.

When Lord Herbert was alone with his wife, he made her many apologies for having invited the Gregories; but, he said, "it was the only way I could think of to get home without rudeness; for Sir Philip had, on the previous evening, settled that a large party of gentlemen should have dined to meet me, and arranged a fishing scheme, and I know not what other devices, to detain and amuse us."

"You are aware, dear Mabel, I could not have got away without showing some civility in return; and, you know, at home one can always manage every thing in the manner one likes best, so that

no great discomfort can arise from having company in one's own house; therefore, I hope, dear, you will forgive me.'

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"Oh," said Lady Herbert, fondly, "it is not the Gregories, or any one else that I object to -but only-that-I thought so soon after our marriage we should have been alone, and quiet together, to learn each other's ways and wishes, and to become certain of what would please, and what would not."

Lord Herbert laughed, and pressing his wife in his arms, kissed her kindly and said—“Oh dear, Mabel, I was afraid you would be tired of me, and out of prudence I endeavoured to procure a little change of society for you; we shall not love each other the less, but the more, depend upon it, for having a few friends to share our happiness."

Lady Herbert felt her husband's manner to be so affectionate, that to have quarrelled with him for not feeling with her would have been unjust, cruel, wrong; and, although her heart did not assent to his opinion, but, on the contrary, made her more than ever conscious that