melancholy, put a stop to my hopes and wishes.

A young baronet, about two years older than Carlos, occupying, with his mother, apartments in the same hotel as ourselves, had become acquainted with and attached to the little page, and was continually asking us leave to let him accompany him out riding and on other excursions of pleasure. One day the two boys had permission to go out together on ponies, under the care of the young baronet's tutor and a couple of servants. They did not return till evening, when I was informed that Carlos had slipped off his pony in crossing a brook, and that he had got wet through. This had happened in the earlier part of the day, and while it was very hot, and having no opportunity of changing or drying his clothes, he had kept them on, wet as they were, and when he came home, was shivering with cold, though the evening was extremely sultry. I instantly took alarm, and caused him to be immediately undressed and placed in a warm bed; and

after informing my lord and lady of what had occurred, begged that a medical man might see him immediately. As soon as Lady Henry had retired for the night, I hastened to the bed-side of my little friend, resolving not to leave him again till called away to my duties. in the morning. He was very restless all night, and by morning's dawn was in a high fever. Lord Henry came in great anxiety to see his poor young page, and sent off again for the Italian physician, who, however, said there was no danger. I feared otherwise, and, unhappily was right; for, by the evening of the second day, the dear child was delirious. He talked incessantly of Sophie-the cruel Sophie; entreating I would not let her stand so close to him. When he became more calm, he was so extremely exhausted, that I foresaw his end was approaching. His tender frame had been unable to resist the violence of the fever. I never shall forget his look as I gazed on his dear fond eyes, turned incessantly towards me. I fancied I was being again torn from my own poor baby.

After the delirium had ceased, he never once mentioned, or appeared to remember Sophie. He spoke incessantly of his "dear kind master," and turning to me, said abruptly, but in a low faint voice, "Dear, dear Theresa, I love my good lady very dearly, but I doat on my dear, dear lord. Tell him to come and bid his poor little Carlos good bye."

I sent Madelina immediately to Lord Henry, as I was determined never again to leave the bed-side of the patient sufferer so long as he had life. As soon as his lordship entered the room, I whispered that I greatly feared his little favourite could not survive the night.

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Impossible, do not tell me so, Theresa," exclaimed Lord Henry. "I would give all I am worth to save his life."

Saying this with great agitation, he threw himself on his knees by the bed-side of the dying Carlos, who, roused by the near approach of his beloved lord, opened his now almost glazed eyes, and said,

"Where is my dear, dear master? I hear him, Theresa, but I cannot see him."

Oh! Carlos, Carlos, my own sweet boy, live, live to bless your doating father."

"Father! father!" murmured the poor child, apparently without comprehending the full meaning of his lord. Oh! kiss me-kiss your poor little page before he dies."

Lord Henry, who appeared overwhelmed with grief, kissed again and again the forehead and lips of the affectionate boy, who suddenly exclaimed,

"I can see you now, dear, dear master; so I die content."

The exertion was too much for the fragile frame; he sunk back on his pillow, and in five minutes his pure and gentle spirit had fled for ever.

My own grief, which was as sincere as it was great, was in some measure checked by the violent effect the death of poor Carlos appeared to have on Lord Henry. He threw himself on the body, calling it his own dear son, his only, his darling child.

I was petrified at this discovery; for I could

VOL. III.

F

no longer doubt that the little favourite page was the son, most likely the natural son, of Lord Henry, of which fact I had not till now the remotest suspicion. I must have been very blind or very stupid not to have guessed as much, from the extraordinary care and affection bestowed uniformly upon the dear object now lying unconscious before me. I was myself stupified by grief, and by the unexpected discovery, but I roused myself, in order to use some efforts at persuading my lord to leave the body of his pretty little son.

With some difficulty, I succeeded at length in inducing him to leave this sad scene, and go into his dressing-room, in order to compose himself, before announcing to his lady the melancholy event which had taken place.

I then called Madelina from the adjoining room, where fortunately she had remained during this mournful scene, and we performed the last sad offices for our dear lost companion. As I gazed on his lovely face, I could scarcely believe that I should never more behold it