which I could not but see at a glance was likely to be one that might lead to a satisfactory explanation, that I determined for once to disobey my mistress, and withdrawing my arm from hers, retreated rapidly towards the house, leaving her alone with his grace.

I remained above an hour in my own room undisturbed, when a message was brought me that Mrs. Tomkins wished me to come to her in our sitting room.

I hastened thither, and found the old lady looking more animated than I had ever seen her.

"Come here, my dear," she said, “I have strange news to tell you. The Duke of Lavandale has arrived, and been for above an hour closeted with Lady Melton and Lady Caroline, and I have just left the latter, who has been giving me such an account of the goings on at Clareville Castle as has quite overcome me. Sit down and you shall know all."

Mrs. Tomkins then began, but as she was not only very tedious, but interrupted her

narration with many observations and invectives, I will endeavour to give it as concisely as possible.

It may be recollected that, just before we left Clareville Castle for Melton Villa, Mrs. Tomkins overheard a sentimental conversation between the duke and Miss Barrett in the music room, in which she discovered that that lady had abstracted the miniature of his grace from the room of Lady Geraldine. This was communicated to Lady Caroline, who immediately applied for its restitution, but for a little time without effect. Two days after, the duke had gone out for the day, having taken his usual tender leave of the fascinating Miss Barrett, who implored him in the most sweet and innocent manner not to remain very long absent. In accordance with her kind wishes, his grace hastened to conclude his visit, and as the tide was out, returned by the beach, thus hoping to give the expecting fair one agreeable surprise by arriving at least two hours before she expected him. Just as he had reached that part of the sands where an

an

opening in the cliffs allows of an ascent into the park, and about a quarter of a mile from the castle, he saw a man walking pensively under the rocks, and upon approaching nearer, perceived it to be his own confidential page, Lewis, who had lived in his grace's service ever since the latter was five years of age. He was a particular favourite of the duke from his devoted fidelity and affection. He did not perceive his noble master, as his back was towards his grace, till the latter called out to him. When the man turned round, the duke was so much struck with the unusually melancholy and serious countenance of his page, that he exclaimed, "Why, Lewis, what ails you, my good fellow?"

The man at first made no reply, and appeared so uneasy and confused, that the duke became alarmed, thinking his faithful servant was ill, and he repeated his question, adding, "Are you ill, Lewis?"

The page drew nearer to his grace, saying, "I am not ill, sir, but very ill at ease, and much wish to speak to your grace."

"Well say on, my good Lewis, for I am in a great hurry to return to the castle."

"I must beg to speak to your grace alone,” replied the page, looking towards the groom who was within a few yards.

"Take my horse," said the duke to his groom, "I shall return on foot across the park, so you need not wait."

As soon as the man was out of sight, the duke, struck by the earnest manner of Lewis, desired he would immediately inform him of what had apparently so completely overset him.

After some hesitation, and entreating the duke to pardon him, if, in the communication he was about to make, he should cause him uneasiness, or repeat expressions disrespectful to his grace, Lewis, without a single interruption from the duke, who desired him to be perfectly explicit, gave the following statement.

Soon after the duke had left the castle that morning, on his intended long ride, Lewis went down to a lonely part of the beach among the rocks about half a mile from the castle intending to bathe, when hearing voices ap

The

proaching, he retreated behind some rocks, and throwing himself down on a sunny shelf among the crags, took out a book, intending to amuse himself with reading till the intruders had passed and were out of sight. speakers proved to be Miss Barrett, Mademoiselle Didier, and Le Comte Piquette; but instead of passing, they seated themselves on a jutting rock inside the recess, and just under where Lewis was lying. He was so situated as to be unseen by them, though he had a complete view of their persons; he was therefore about to retreat, when the name of his noble master pronounced in a sneering manner by Miss Barrett, attracted his attention, and arrested his steps.

"The duke indeed!" she exclaimed, "let me beg, my dear count, you will not mention his odious name. Thank God I have got rid of him till dinner time, or I never should have been able to have met you, my dear Jules, this morning! What with mamma's tiresome fears, and his boring company, you and I have hardly time to speak together alone. Now,

VOL. III.

K