ވ It may be conjectured that the soldier carefully avoided another tête à tête. Harriette, mistaking the cause of my father's agitation, during their morning interview, ascribed it to very different feelings, and indulging in hopes groundless and delusory, prepared to follow up her success. But the major, like an able commander, would leave nothing to chance, and had determined on retreating without "beat of drum.' Secretly, therefore, orders of readiness were issued to Denis O'Brien, whom he had "purchased out" when he left the 18th. The baggage was packed without parade; and before daylight next morning, while the blooming Harriette dreamed of her dashing kinsman, the false commander was levanting upon the coach-box of the Galway mail, with Denis and a brown portmanteau on the roof, the valet lilting an Irish song, and the master blowing a comfortable cloud," with as much indifference as if they had bidden a ceremonious farewell to all in Castle Blake, "nor left a breaking heart behind." 66 It would be irrelevant to notice the fair one's rage when the departure of Cæsar Blake was first announced. In her chamber, she gave vent to feelings that were wild and tempestuous enough. Meanwhile the beloved one was posting to her favoured rival. The wind blew favourably, and distance lessened until, on the fifth evening, by the light of a splendid moon, the major drove into the remote village, adjacent to which the mansion and domain of Mr. Harrison lay. CHAPTER III. THE CROSS KEYS, AND THE INTERVIEW. It is the hour when from the boughs The nightingale's high note is heard ; It is the hour when lovers' vows Seem sweet in every whisper'd word; - Each flower the dews have lightly wet, And in the sky the stars are met, And on the wave is deeper blue, And on the leaf a browner hue, And in the heaven that clear obscure, As twilight melts beneath the moon away. But it is not to list to the waterfall, And it is not to gaze on the heavenly light, "T is not for the sake of its full-blown flower; Though her ear expects as soft a tale. There glides a step through the foliage thick, And her cheek grows pale, and her heart beats quick; PARASINA. THE Cross Keys at Stainsbury was one of those comfortable country inns, which the experienced traveller prefers to the noisier houses of public accommodation that are to be found in larger places. It was 66 a low snug dwelling, and in good repair," flanked on one side by an extensive row of stabling, and on the other by a crowded stackyard. In front appeared a well cropped garden, with its flowerknots, and apiary, and close-cut hedges. There was a general neatness out of doors which told "mine host" was no sloven within, every thing was orderly and scrupulously clean; and when the traveller looked at the wellappointed parlour, he could not but contrast it with the dirty, dreary, racketty caravanseras, which even the best of the Hibernian hostels at that time were. The arrival of the gallant major occasioned some bustle among the household of the Cross Keys. The soldier having now reached the scene of action, settled himself before the cheerful wood fire to arrange his plans for opening the campaign, by communicating his arrival to his " lady love." This, as it was the first, would probably be the most difficult movement -a failure would be fatal, and, therefore, due caution must be exercised. In Denis O'Brien he had an efficient and devoted ally, and, barring blunders, never did a more accomplished valet assist in the abstraction of an heiress. Denis had a bold heart, a stout arm, a ready wit, and brass enough to qualify for a London footman; but he had his failings, and these were an inveterate brogue, an unquenchable thirst, and an aversion to cool argument, which sometimes induced him to strike first, and reason afterwards. While my father was ruminating upon his plans, the table had been covered with a snowy cloth, and other necessary appendages for his immediate refreshment. Whether hunger or love had rendered his perceptions less acute than ordinary, I cannot say, but as he sate in moody silence, beating the "devil's tattoo upon his boot, and gazing on the fire, the landlord's handsome daughter had visited and left the apartment thrice, without being noticed by the guest. This insensibility of the stranger piqued the demoiselle, who determined to interrupt his meditations."Did you order wine, sir?" she said, poking her pretty face over my father's shoulder. But the traveller continued tapping the metal stove with the point of his cane. "Sir sir, are you asleep, or at your prayers?" and she lightly touched his arm. My father raised his eyes carelessly, and they encountered a pair of as brilliant hazle ones as ever undid a devotee. "Now, Heaven pardon you," said the traveller, "I had just made resolutions against temptation, and you come here to overset them." "Sir sir, for shame; how could you kiss one so, and the window open? " “Well, child, and who's to blame for that? Draw the curtains, and we 'll talk about the wine. I'm so modest ! it's a failing, I know but who is faultless ?" "Modest! are you an Irishman ?” "Yes, pretty one, sit down upon my knee, and I'll give you all the particulars of my birth, parentage, and educa→ tion." "Can it be possible ?" exclaimed the young attendant. "Gallant sir, have I ever seen that modest face before? Nay, I am not near-sighted, and am just as safe with the table between us. Have I had the honour of travelling in company with a crusty old man, a beautiful girl, and a most impertinent major, who, while the honest gentleman was engaged in attending to his trunks, did not neglect that opportunity, to bestow his parting benediction on the lips of the blushing daughter?" "Now, who the deuce are you?" cried the soldier. Speak, or I'll jump over the table and kiss you to death upon the spot!" "What a desperado the man must be !" said the maid of the inn. "Shall I tell a tale that happened not a hun dred years ago. Once upon a time, a young lady went to a watering-place with her papa, and a cross papa he was. The day before she left home, her maid took a fancy to get married, and what was to be done? She could not get a servant, and persuaded her nurse's daughter to be her attendant for the time. On the return of the lady by the stage, (for papa would not travel as other people do, in their own carriages) unfortunately a tall, impudent, welllooking Irish major was a fellow-passenger. Argus-eyed as the old man was, the soldier out-manoeuvred him— persuaded the poor girl that she was in love, and in that belief she has since continued. Now, the attendant was not blind; she saw from behind the carriage that, while papa was rummaging the boot, the major was kissing his daughter, while he placed an emerald ring upon her finger, which ring the silly girl has worn next her heart since they parted." Stop! you have my secret. - Am I safe place confidence in you, my pretty one ?" My "Listen,” she replied, "and you will best judge. father and mother were fellow-servants at the hall, which they left upon their marriage. This inn and farm belong to Mr. Harrison, and when they became vacant he placed my parents here. Soon afterwards, Miss Ellen's mother died in giving her birth, and the charge and nursing of the pretty orphan were entrusted to mine. Never did sister love another better than I do her. I know how her affections are disposed of. If she weds to please her father, her misery for life is certain. If she weds to please herself, she will be deserted and disinherited; for there lives not a more unbending and unrelenting parent than hers. She has, it is true, a fortune in her own right, which none can control; but to all else (and her father's power over his estates is absolute) let her bid adieu. You, sir, have no trifling difficulties to surmount. You must be prompt, and at the same time, cautious. Beyond a day or two, here you cannot remain unknown and undiscovered. suspicion arises, you and Ellen are separated for ever. My father is devoted to his master. Take care of him. But If a what errand brought you here? What reason can you assign for stopping at an obscure inn, and at a remote village? You cannot pass for a farmer, or a bagman, or a horse-dealer, or any thing connected with an honest calling. That military swagger and impudent look, and the mad Irishman who accompanies you, would at once be tray your cut-throat trade. The fellow was scarcely in the house before he squabbled with the exciseman, and tumbled the dairy-maid about as if he had known her for a twelvemonth. Pray, what business brought you here?" "Upon my conscience, my dear girl, that's a poser !" returned my father. "I have it- here read this," and Phoebe handed the major a country paper, while a loud voice called to her from without, to say that dinner was ready; and when she left the room, my father perused the advertisement. It was a sale of horses, the property of a departed foxhunter, who lived a few miles from Stainsbury; and they were, as the newspaper announced, to come in a few days "unreservedly to the hammer." This was indeed a lucky event; and the major decided, that to buy horses should be his errand, and that he would accommodate himself during his sojourn at the Cross Keys, with the name of an old friend in the Enniskillen dragoons, at present quartered at |