ven's sake, keep to yourself every word I've spoken."

"Will you frank these letters, Lord Darmaya? Here are six on the shelf ready; and this one, to my uncle, I want to put in the box myself."

Lord Vahl entering, began talking to Ellen, and conversing on Villetta's happiness, and gladly received Ellen's message to his sister, as he was going to London for the day.

"I am sure Villetta will be charmed at the kind feeling you evince on her nuptials; for she has frequently complained of your coldness towards her in times of uncertainty and distress, which she kept secret from me. I shall wish her joy from you, the first thing when we meet.” St. Germain's contracted lip told Ellen that he had fathomed her hopes and fears; and she hastily glided towards her own apartment, incapable of analysing distinctly and separately the many contending sensations which agitated

her bosom.

"Vahl, my good fellow, make yourself useful," said Darmaya. "My hand is feeble and gouty; frank these epistles, and give them to Le Grange's box so come, St. Germain, you and I will go, for it 's late, as you justly stated."

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Hang this letter," exclaimed Vahl, tossing it up, and catching it in derision; "my name at the back is contaminated by that within : 'To Mr. St. Germain,' from Colonel St. Germain, of course; two precious

"What! are they both so bad as that?" said Ellen, who had returned for her reticule.

"Do you mean that it would be difficult to dim the lustre of your humble servant's name by further contamination ?" demanded Vahl, laughing.

"But are they so wicked or notorious, that you dislike franking a letter in their service? You ought to caution Lord Darmaya," she subjoined.

"Or swallow burning liquid fire,” Vahl

added hastily, "to quench a thirst. No, no! when I offer my advice, it is not lavished on the incorrigibly hardened and unmanageable. Depend upon it, Miss De Lastre, that Darmaya will take every advantage; so pray beware of your steps with him. Fortune is a blind goddess, and so termed because she is supposed to protect those who are unable, from folly, to help themselves; but that, I hope, will neither be your case nor mine. Still, women need protection, as you 'll some day own."

“What a curious vase this is!" Ellen observed, to hide her inward thought.

"Curious rather," said Vahl, taking it up and letting it fall; "it is of the third century, or rather was.'

Ellen took her reticule from his hold, and, wishing Lord Vahl a pleasant ride, escaped from the apartment. He had longed to open his heart again to Ellen. A faint idea of counteracting Darmaya's schemes by his exertions, had dwelt on his mind, and induced

him to visit Ville Park; but now he resolved to depart precipitately, and not return. The seven letters were all franked; he even threw them condescendingly in Le Grange's box en passant, then galloped down the park and up the hill, wishing that Ellen De Lastre had more taste and kinder feeling.

CHAPTER XX.

Spesso chi credi il fumo fuggir, cade nel fuoco.

Homme, ne cherche plus l'auteur du mal, c'est toi-même. Il n'existe point d'autre mal que celui que tu fais ou que tu souffres, et l'un et l'autre viennent de toi.

ROUSSEAU.

COLONEL ST. GERMAIN TO MR. ST.

GERMAIN.

ENCLOSED is the two hundred, mon cher oncle. I had some trouble to get Darmaya to unlock the escritoir. My demand sounded in his ear as the first screw in his coffin, and he resisted most forcibly. Here is the requisite for our occasion, so provide the carriage, and do as I desired.