scene; and perhaps even the thoughts of the woman he loved, and of the distant period when he might hope to realize such an hour, that now and then stole over him, gave a deeper and more delicious colouring to his enjoyment.

On Julia's retiring, he commenced his explanation of the adventure that had brought him to disturb the lovers, and renewed his inquiries for the undiscoverable Major.

Gordon laughed. "Think no more of Majors, my dear fellow," said he; "I can tell your whole story by instinct; or, if not, by the first authority, my own, of course. I heard of your generous defence of me, and of the insolence of that coxcomb Baronet, before I was an hour here, from a friend who had remained at Mrs. Courtney's déjeuné, to set pursuit upon a wrong track, if pursuit should be made. He was the owner of this cottage, which he is rich and fantastic enough to have turned into a fairy palace, as you see. More knowing in the art and mystery of elopement than myself, I have been indebted to him, not merely for a lodging, but for the idea of leaving the Gretna road behind, and hiding in this unsuspected spot, until some newer atrocity shall occur to make ours be forgotten.

"My friend was loud in praise of your interposition, and as he seemed to think that

something personal might result, you will forgive me, Vaughan, for my conceiving it essential that I should take the affair into my own hands. I left Julia on some excuse, returned to town, and sent a demand to Foxhall for an apology. I then ascertained that he had left town for the North full speed, with Mrs. Courtney for his companion; and the talkers were divided in the idea whether he was to be honoured with the hand of the detected daughter or the loving mother. Bets to no trifling amount were soon depending, and the clubs were in high amusement upon the subject. I had taken it for granted, that the point would not be settled within a week, and was returning from town, when I saw, in a passing carriage, the Baronet and the lady returning. It was then too late to interrupt them, and I pursued my way. But this morning I was again in London, had a sulky answer from the Baronet, who was unluckily soured by the ridicule thrown upon his expedition, and was, of course, forced to go through the regular steps of the affair.”

Vaughan started from his seat. "Is it possible? What will be thought of me, but that I have evaded-Gordon, I cannot forgive you!" he exclaimed.-"Yes," said his host," you must; for I cannot now afford to lose any of my friends. You can serve me still. As to your character, it stands clear

in the opinion of every man of honour. The Baronet was unwise enough to resist all application to his sense of justice; so his less acute senses were necessarily appealed to; and, in consequence, he has carried off a bullet in his left shoulder down to Yorkshire; and will, it is to be presumed, be more cautious of his eloquence for some time to come."

The narrative, however the safety of his friend might have gratified the listener, did not satisfy his scruples. His brow darkened; and he rose to withdraw. Gordon caught his hand; and with a look suddenly changed from its light and cheerful expression, said, "You must not be offended with my anticipating you; or if you are, you must forgive me on the ground of having troubles enough to bear without the loss of your esteem. I have a service for you." He spoke in a suppressed tone. "Julia may yet want the kindness of a man of honour, and a relative. I had heard some days ago, that my regiment was likely to be ordered to the Peninsula. This was one cause of the precipitation of my marriage. To-day, when in town, I received the order to join. It is at Portsmouth; and in a few days I must leave this spot."

He paced the room. "How I shall break the news to Julia! under heaven I don't

know. Her sensibility; her separation from her family; her unprovided, unprotected state! Madman that I was, not to have left her to the shelter even of her mother's roof, in confidence of my truth and regard!"

He clasped his hands together, and stood in a deep and bitter anxiety, which his friend felt too real and too sacred for idle consolation. Both were silent for awhile. At length Vaughan, with difficulty, turned the topic to his own destination, and demanded the young soldier's advice upon his project of volunteering into the army. Gordon's generous spirit forgot his own sorrows in the perplexities of his friend; and before they parted for the night, they had both grown calm, had discussed their mutual prospects, and had pledg.. ed themselves to manly and mutual services,

CHAPTER XVII.

Come, sit by me, Amanthis,-here are woods
Covering the forky and time-beaten hills,
Like golden canopies, beneath whose leaves
We'll lie like shepherds. Hard by is a fount
That runs with living crystal, at whose brim
We'll cool our lips i' the summer-noon, or sleep
To its sweet murmuring music, or at eve
Reckon the living diamonds that the stars
Wake on its liquid purple.

Phineas Webb.

THE morn was fresh and fair; and the breeze, scented with the breath of a thousand buds and blooms, came wooingly through the open casement of Vaughan's chamber. He rose, and saw before him all the loveliness of the true English landscape: the rich valley beneath, with a stream that flowed like silver in the morning light; the hill, one bright sheet of verdure, studded with noble trees, and crowned with a forest; and over all, the first rich rose-colour of a summer sun-rise.

He wandered into the garden, which the taste and luxury of its master had filled with a profusion of the rarest flowers: it was extensive, and a multitude of paths covered