them with a shudder of irrepressible horror, when he saw the fine features of Forrester gazing with benevolent earnestness into his countenance. Although this excited some little surprise at the time, the Englishmen (for so we must conventionally call them, although Howard was a son of Erin,) were far from guessing the deep rooted source whence these expressions of dislike arose, and they naturally attributed them to the shock he had received having deranged his mind.

Leaving the carriage, in which the chasseur had established himself, pipe in mouth, and a flask of Kirschenwasser in hand, in order to defy the cold, the little procession waded on through the deep snow with considerable difficulty. Supported between the two gentlemen, and rather carried than walking, Amelie kept close to the litter; once, and once only, during the journey, the Count raised his head, and looking wildly around, when he saw his wife supported on the arm of the handsome Englishman, uttered a curse, and sunk back fainting and convulsed, whilst the purpled flood of life bubbled from his lips in a gush.

The lady seemed to read his thoughts; and although sadly needing assistance, no persuasion could induce her to accept of aid any more, till at length the little inn was reached; and then exhausted by emotion, cold, and fatigue, she sunk fainting on the threshold.

Borne to the best chamber in the house, the unfortunate Count was placed in bed, and then it was that Howard had to exercise all his ingenuity to effect the necessary medical objects he had in view, with the

very scanty means which the retired establishment afforded.

There is no situation in life in which genius displays itself so forcibly as when it is obliged to work out its ends with means which would, in other hands, be inefficient; and it is in this particular position that an Irishman's genius is most resplendent, and shows itself most at home; he seems peculiarly framed for such exertions, and there is no country in the world, in peace or war, which has not seen the ready expediency of the Irishman to suit himself to, and make available the most untoward circumstances.

In the present instance Howard was, as it were, every where; now rummaging out mine hostess' stock of old linen, tearing bandages, and setting all the woman kind in the house to sew them together; now mixing cordials, with verbal comfort, to revive the hysteric Countess; now hewing splints out of logs intended for the fire, in order to set her husband's fractured limbs; directing fomentations here, and frictions there; and, most curious of all, obtaining the most perfect and willing obedience, and ever and anon making a personal attack on a Westphalian ham which stood on the table, and hurrying its morsels down, with frequent sips of Rhine wine, devoutly wishing all the while that it were Drogheda Ale, or Guinness's XX.

Our readers may readily forgive him the apparent selfishness of thus taking care of himself in a scene of so much distress; but in excuse we must advance, that no time was lost, and this ambulatory breakfast was

well earned by a sharp walk of twenty miles, as well as by his subsequent exertions that morning, the whole having been rendered more difficult than ordinary by the deepening snow, which rendered progression more fatiguing than a much greater distance on firm ground.

Forrester, although of frank and manly bearing, had all the reserve of the Englishman; and although most anxious to render every assistance in his power, still was of far less use in the present bustle; however, both exerted themselves so effectually, that before evening, every comfort was supplied to the injured man, his limbs set, wounds dressed, and the extent of injury nearly ascertained, and the fair lady, looking fairer still from the fatigue and anxiety she had undergone, hovered, like a ministering angel, round the couch, causing to the spectators, when years afterwards they recalled the scene, a feeling of loveliness to revive her memory, and bring to the minds of each, the words of the poet, in all their force and truth:

"Her's was a form of life and light

Which seen, became a part of sight,

Which rose where e'er I turned mine eye,

The morning star of memory."

Oh! Woman, didst thou know that position in which thy beauties and virtues shine forth most winningly, thou wouldst cheerfully exchange the garish and ornate splendour of the ball-room or the assembly, for the simple, affectionate duties of the chamber of illness and death; for it is there that thy loveliness comes

home to the very heart's core with irresistible force, and produces an admiration, mingled with respect, which defies envy, and converts thee in the eyes of all beholders into a little divinity.

Poor Amelie, the tears of gratitude overflowed thine eyelids, when Howard whispered that there was still hope for thy husband's life, notwithstanding the severity of the injuries he had suffered, and fervent were the prayers thou offeredst up, that the means he was employing might be blessed!

A fortnight passed in this manner: the Englishmen seemed to have forgotten that they were travellers, the violence of the Count's fever had abated, every thing was proceeding in a satisfactory train, and joy again began to visit the bosom of the fond wife. The Englishmen made short excursions in the neighbourhood, or amused themselves shooting, but were never long away from the bedside of the invalid. At first, when returning consciousness made the Count aware of his perilous condition, and that he found himself in the hands of these strangers, he showed the utmost uneasiness; nay, his looks and expressions indicated absolute terror, and he desired that they should be kept away from him; but, by degrees, their unremitting kindness rendered their presence more supportable, and at last, their appearance was hailed with delight. Then, and then for the first time, was the grateful Countess permitted to inform him of the share these Englishmen had had in rescuing him from certain death. No prejudice could stand long, opposed to the

evidences of such disinterested kindness and humanity: and, although it evidently cost him a struggle, still prejudice was conquered, and the Count received the kindnesses and attentions of the foreigners, on which, indeed, he was now in a certain measure dependant, with gratitude and courtesy.

CHAPTER II.

"Like a fine old English gentleman, all of the olden school."

"The kindest heart that nature form'd,

Whence generous thoughts incessant rose,
Beat in his breast-but there too storm'd;
Passion the fiercest."

UNPUBLISHED Poem.

THE injuries sustained by the Count Von Eisenberg were of a very serious and dangerous character: his head had been much injured, and the upper part of his thigh was fractured in such a way as to leave no hope, should life be spared, of his being other than a cripple for the remainder of it. Howard thought lightly of all the rest in comparison with these, although any of them existing alone might have been deemed serious.

Skill and unwearied kindness greatly alleviated the intensity of the Count's sufferings; and as soon as the first fever had passed over, Howard found it easier to