ed into Lady Belnovine's small old carriage, dressed in the black velvet robe with the fine pointed lace, made after that pretty portrait

at Darmaya Castle after Lady Isabel's, who was the Lady Grace's young friend; and they two lived in the cloisters, where there is now such a fine monument to Lady Grace."

"Ah, poor Lady Grace!" Ellen spoke. "She said our chiefest sorrows were buried in a sensitive heart Alas! how true; but she was a refined, elegant creature an undying spirit uncontaminated amidst all her trials and sorrows."

"But, Miss Ellen, how could you know that lady's adventures, for was it not long, long ago?"

66

Yes, indeed it was, but her history was recorded in a journal by that very Isabel; and the old chest I found contained it."

"You have never worn your velvet since, nor your lace gown either; his Grace gave them to you in a secret way. Ah! Miss Ellen, how he prized you then, but since that night, all is different with us seemingly."

"Now go to rest. Mind and call me early to-morrow morning, for after breakfast I have a particular appointment."

Then re-opening "the Pleasures of Memory," she trimmed and placed the lamp by the fire.

CHAPTER XIX.

Fortune, that, with malicious joy,
Does man her slave oppress;
Proud of her office to destroy,

Is seldom pleased to bless.

DRYDEN'S Horace.

ELLEN was punctual to the appointment made, rather mysteriously, with her by Lord Darmaya, and left the breakfast almost untouched at the minute of ten by the dial. She was approaching the door, when St. Germain issued from it. His mind seemed raised above the level of ordinary thought; his features wore an expression of discontent; and his hands were crossed over his bosom, as if he would

hold down a sensation of agony: he muttered, "Villain! coward!" then in hasty strides walked down the gallery.

Ellen stopped; but he moved along, either unwilling, or too much absorbed to notice her.

With an enfeebled accent, Lord Darmaya said, "Come in, Miss De Lastre. I have had a restless night, and have been plagued with somewhat of ill-formed gout, fluttering near my chest." Pouring out a glass of the gout cordial, he subjoined; "I have many things to talk to you upon. I view you now in a different light. You are an important individual in my circle from this time forth. You are the last representative of the illustrious family of Darmaya, therefore interesting to me."

Ellen was at a loss to conceive from what the sudden change of sentiment could have arisen, and dreaded the detail, fearing that some fresh sacrifice was to be demanded.

"I checked your openly declared impatience

to return to Darmaya Castle yesterday, because I was not then prepared to enter into a complete and candid explanation, so watched and environed as we were. But now I am at liberty so you must learn that the domain of Darmaya was settled upon the male descendant of my family; therefore, at my decease, it will devolve on the Duke of Lorevaine, as the last and only relative, and there ends the entail. He may will it away at random, justly or unjustly; and he has done so, as far as lies in his power, prematurely. He has made it over to my grandaughter, Ellen De Lastre. So, unless I have lawful heir at my death, you will receive it from the Duke as due to your affinity to me in the direct line, and, though a female, still properly my heiress. Thus it is restored to my own family; so now consider yourself as the sole representative of the House of Darmaya. Should Lorevaine die before me, Maria would have the property; but, for certain reasons, I would much prefer