"That the rascally lawyers,' such is his expression, annoy him very much with their delays, and that the arrangements cannot be completed for some little time."

"Poor man! it's a great pity he gives himself so much trouble."

Ah! you'll rue your ungrateful conduct some day, Miss Brand."

I laughed: "Well, I've a reprieve, however."

I had a reprieve, and wrote to inform Lady Ravensden thereof; this was her

"Did I not tell you that if you left your matters in my hands, all would be well? No doubt, you have been somewhat mystified; for I have been unwilling to raise hopes which might never be realized; and, as our correspondence was intercepted, it is as well, perhaps, for other reasons, that I made no particular allusion to the progress of affairs.

Now, however, I think I may venture to

enlighten you a little, as things are well in

train, and an explosion, sooner or later, is certain.

"You must know, then, that in consequence of a letter I received while staying at Ashwoods, from Reginald Compton (then in Paris), the contents of which letter I communicated to Mr. Grey, and over which we consulted together, it was determined that Grey should act as my agent, and should himself repair to Paris to unravel the mystery of your affairs, and ascertain, if possible, something more definite relative to your birth, which I know has preyed upon your mind, and given you much uneasiness. Mr. Grey went as I wished, and has been indefatigable in his endeavours to accomplish the purpose he has in view. He has discovered a clue to the disappearance of your fortune; and Master D'Arville will be made to look foolish one of these days, I fancy; but he is obliged to proceed with caution, lest the fox should discover him to be on his scent, and by buying over important witnesses, give us the slip. Reginald Compton and Mr. Grey though, will, I think, manage matters between them."

I was pleased-yet disappointed. My

pecuniary interests were evidently all that my kind friend was thinking about; and these gave me less uneasiness than aught else.

Did her ladyship know that Mr. Grey was about to be married to another. Would she forgive him his perfidy?

It was evident, he was exerting himself on my behalf to insure her forgiveness when his baseness was known. And my birth, was that question to be made a matter for Mr. Grey's investigation?

I shrank within myself at the bare idea. I seemed to grow less and less, till I felt that I was indeed, as my guardian had told me— "nobody at all."

CHAPTER XIII.

"The rainbow in her loveliest dress, is but the child of showers,

And ever do the dewdrops sleep with summer's sweetest flowers."

MRS. HENRY LYNCH,

'Good morning, Lady Bernard." "Don't wish me good morning." "Madam ?"

A dark cloud lay gloomily on the old lady's brow, as these few words were interchanged; and, looking at her more attentively, I observed that she was considerably discomposed.

"What is the matter?" I ventured to enquire, as I took my seat at the breakfast-table. "The matter is this, Miss Brand, that you're a young lady who was born seemingly

to be a cause of trouble to every one unlucky enough to have anything to do with you."

"I am sorry to hear you say so.

And may I ask in what way I have been the cause of bringing trouble upon you, Madam ?"

Lady Bernard twirled her thumbs, looking indignant, and very white; and for some minutes did not vouchsafe me an answer; at length, she said, with her back turned towards me, and her eyes looking out of the window :

"It is an unfortunate thing for my nephew that he ever had anything to do with you or your affairs, and that your father in his dotage should have confided such a troublesome girl as you to his care. It was a most unfortunate thing, truly; and now-after all the trouble and responsibility he has had, to meet with this return. It is shameful!"

"But, Lady Bernard, pray be more explicit. Tell me what I have done to meet with this severe language. On one subject, enough has been said; but with regard to my affairs, if they occasion my guardian any trouble, I can only be sorry for it, and be ready to do any