ance presented by the visitors, as they listened to these last words of Miriam. Lady Augusta bit her lips to restrain her rage and mortification, for which she could find no fitting utterance in language suitable to a lady. Her aunt tried and failed to force a laugh, as she followed Lady Augusta out of the room, under the keen glance of Miriam, who now regarded them with comparative calmness.

Both were acutely alive to the ridiculous and false position in which they had placed themselves. Never was victory more complete, as the titled dames withdrew in silence, humiliated and mortified, from the presence of her whom they had come to humiliate and mortify!

CHAPTER IX.

THE APPEAL TO CONSCIENCE.

Ar the end of a week from Gerald's arrival at Lindor Hall, Mr. Covert thought he could safely trust the Baronet, to carry out his policy alone; and returned to London to attempt the more difficult portion of the scheme, viz.: getting Miriam out of the way. He trusted to his skill to be able to effect this, with as little delay as possible, so that if absolutely necessary, Gerald's confinement would not need to be prolonged. Not that Covert of course, cared if it had resulted in madness, but he knew that in the event of Gerald really becoming insane,

a legal investigation might be followed by some unpleasant results to himself.

Immediately on his return, he sought an interview with Lady Veneer, who in order to exculpate herself as much as possible, from her share in the non-success in the visits to

Miriam, enlarged greatly upon Miriam's superior intelligence, and want of principle combined. Notwithstanding the partial description given by Lady Veneer, Covert saw plainly, that Miriam had been too much for her, and in spite of his annoyance at her interference, and disarrangement of his own plans, he was not a little pleased at the snubbing both ladies had received.

"I fear," concluded Lady Veneer, "that painful as it is to see vice triumph, we must abandon our hopes of breaking off this guilty connexion. The young woman is hardened in iniquity, and glories in her shame. All my reasoning, all my appeals to her proper feelings, were in vain, and she only replied to my urgent entreaties to repent and reform, by a tirade of

low abuse. I assure you I felt glad to get out of the house, and have no further wish to expose myself to insult."

Covert heard enough to comprehend the unskilful manner, in which the ladies had tried to effect their purpose, and instead of agreeing with Lady Veneer, that the object was impracticable, he coolly undertook to persevere and succeed.

"But I assure you," continued Lady Ve

66

neer, you cannot have any idea, what a resolute girl this Miriam is. When she heard that Gerald was confined at Lindor Hall, she seemed positively relieved, and declared with brazen effrontery, that she could wait till he was twenty-one, when he would be certain to return to her."

"And Lady Augusta?" asked Covert. "Does she despair because the first attempt has not been crowned with success?"

"Lady Augusta shows a proper spirit. She has no wish to gratify this creature, by acknowledging in her a rival. She looks upon Ger

ald's passion for her, as an infatuation which will pass away, and she is more firm than ever, in her resolution to do her duty, and bring about a reconciliation between Gerald and his father, and society; to bring him to see his own interests, and "

“In short, she remains firm in her resolution to marry him," said Covert, who was tired of Lady Veneer's long-winded attempts at fine phraseology.

"Ahem! you speak abruptly, Mr. Covert." "I know I do. Excuse me, but this matter is very important, and time presses. Lady Augusta's duty and disinterested intentions. towards Gerald, we have settled, are identical with marrying him;

call a spade a spade.

Pardon me then, if I

I approve highly of

her firmness. Encourage her in her determination, and assure her that she shall succeed in her highly laudable object."

"You really think then, that you will be able to come to terms with this bold, hardened creature?" said Lady Veneer.