was as smooth as honey? It strikes me that if this match is to be cemented, there's no time to be lost, for if it should be discovered at Windmere that I am not the Simon Pure I have affected to be, my interests in the old fellow's property may be most seriously damaged. I wish I could get rid of this marriage altogetherbut the old chap has made it his hobby, and, there's no helping it. I must be sacrificed-it's a hard case, though," said he, sneeringly, "but, never mind, once my rights settled by law, I shall show my gentle Chloe a new version of the marriage law,"-thus muttering and exulting, he tossed the letter down upon the table and bade his valet to post it directly. "Now, what shall I do for cash?" he said to himself, as soon as the valet had left, "I lost a round hundred at cards last night, and the day previous nearly a thousand on the Derby. That confounded "Fly-by-night' completely sold me. I declare I'll never back the favourite again. Wednesday is the settling day, and if I am not at my post, I shall be black-balled, and my chances of winning back will be destroyed. I must do something, and do it at once. I'll off to old Moses, and see how his pulse beats. Confound the things! I expected the old fellow would have sent me a cheque from Windmere ere this. But no matter! there's all the more to come hereafter." At this moment the valet entered the room, having returned from the post-office. "John," said Mr. Langford, "order William to bring round the cab directly." In a few moments a stylish cabriolet upon easy springs and light wheels, drawn by a tall prancing horse, drove up to the door. It was one of those vehicles in which the fast-men of London loll away their idle hours, by driving about with no other purpose, than that of quizzing the fashionable company that flock to the usual drives and promenades. Hanging on behind was one of those diminutive specimens of humanity decked out in buckskin breeches and top-boots, commonly called "a tiger." It is difficult to say whether man or beast is most satirised by the application of such a name to such an object! Mr. Langford stepped into the vehicle, the tiger sprang upon his place, and then the cab drove at a smart pace off to one of the thoroughfares leading out of Regentstreet. It was finally pulled up before the door of a house whose windows were obscured by dust, and whose whole frontage looked as if it had sustained the blight of a Chancery suit. The tiger jumped down and gave a loud rat-a-tat-tat-tat at the door, which was presently opened by a dirty-looking servant woman, who held the door slightly open with one hand, and applied her apron to her dirty face with the other. "Is Mr. Moses within?" asked Mr. Langford. "Yes, sir," said she; and the gentleman immediately entered without ceremony. Passing through a narrow passage he took the freedom of entering at once into Moses's presence; and from the familiarity of his proccedings, it will readily be observed that this was not the first acquaintance. "Good morning, Moses," said Mr. Langford, holding out his hand. "Good morning," said Moses, looking up through his spectacles, and removing a ledger lying before him. "Glad to shee you, Mishter Langford,-sit town, shir, I pray you." Mr. Langford sat down, and removing his hat, tossed it upon the ground. "Now, Moses," said he, "I want money-and money I must have!" "Itsh a very scarsh article, Mr. Langford, very scarsh. I've been looking into the Times this morning, and I see the market is ver' closh, ver' closh indeed, Mushter Langford!" "Oh, hang the market," said Langford. "you're as rich as the mint: why look at these boxes," said he, pointing at some old iron chests, "why there's enough in them to pay off the national debt," and as he said this, he laughed heartily, and thrust his fingers into old Moses's ribs. "Oh, ton't," said Moses, beginning to cough under the infliction, "my preath is very pad, ver' pad, indeed, Mishter Langford." Then "Your breath is bad, is it? what's the good of your hoarding up your money 'till the last? out with it, and do good with it, old fellow; and save your soul from perdition!" "Py my word," said Moses, "I am "Well, you know," said Langford, " I always honoured my acceptances, Moses!" 'Oyesh, you 're a very honourable shentleman, ver' honourable inteed. Put der are some ver' grate rogues in der world, Mishter Langford," and the old man put on a care-worn look. "Well now, Moses, you must be liberal with me this time; I want a large sum." "A large sum! how mush, Mr Langford ?" "A thousand pounds, Moses." "A thousand poun's-I hav'nt so mush in de world!" "Oh, come, come," said Langford, "that won't do Moses, you've got it, and I must have it-liberal interest you know!" "How mush?" asked Moses. 46 Twenty per cent," said Langford. "It can't pe done at the price," said Moses; "the market is ver' closh-ver' closh inteed!" "Oh, nonsense, that's a tremendous interest, Moses." 'Lor' pless you, Sir-we get double an' treble that now from the firsht noplemen." "Then what are your terms, Moses." "Why, as itsh to you, and you're a cushtomer, ve'll say fifty per shent, for a short date, say two or three months-but for a longer time, I musht sharge more." So the dialogue continued, between the spendthrift and the miser. And at length it was decided that Langford should have a thousand pounds upon giving a four months' bill for two thousand. The bargain seemed almost concluded when Moses startled Langford and shook his hopes by saying "Put I musht have security." "Security" exclaimed Langford in a rage," you said nothing of that beforenor have you done so in any of our previous transactions!" "No; put you see de amount is ver' pig, Mishter Langford, ver' pig indeed. Now if you have a little deed, of houses or land,- -or if your rich uncle vill pack a bill or anyting just to make me a little secure!" "You won't do it without ?" "I can't indeed, Mr. Langford," said Moses, in a positive manner. "I'm always willing to oplige-put money is so scarce, the market is so closh!" 66 "Confound you, and your money too," said Langford, enraged at the disappointment: you're a rascally old usurer;" and rising up hastily, he left the house, slammed the door, and' drove off. "The risk wash too great," said the miser, rubbing his hands, as he unlocked some of his boxes and pulled out bags of gold, at which his eyes stared as in wild worship. "I could not afford to lose any more," and he shook his head and beard. Another knock at the door startled him, and he hurriedly swept the treasure into the chest. It was a new customer for aid. But Moses, though his eyes had just glanced over thousands, affected poverty again, and extorted usurous terms from his victim. Langford again reached his chambers. "What can be done?" said he, muttering to himself; "these debts must be paid." A thought seemed to strike him. He pulled forth a pocket-book, and took out a couple of cheques. "Shall I risk it?" he said; and stood with his eyes fixed, as in anxious thought. "It may never be discovered; the old fellow left his book in my way, and I tore out a couple of the leaves-just out of curiosity, of course. If I force on this marriage, then I shall have plenty; a good thirty thousand will be mine-ha! ha!and I can honour these paltry demands before they become due. There is the old fellow's autograph," said he, pulling out a letter and unfolding it; "and there 's my fac-simile-good-'pon my honourclever-very clever! Let's see, now!" and he proceeded to fill in a cheque. looks well!" Then he filled in the other. Capital! Now I think all will be right; but I must n't go to Moses until to-morrow. He must think that I receive these in the morning. I will say they are postdated thirty days to suit my convenience and my uncle's banking account, and then the old Jew will discount them-ah, ah! the old dog, I'll get at his blood yet!" So saying, he folded the cheques and returned them to his pocket-book; then ringing the bell, he ordered the wine to be set upon the table, and determined to blunt his feelings of compunction, feeble though they were, by an effort to drown the conscience which stirred within him. 66 (Continued at page 271. "That FEMALE CHARACTERS OF THE fusion of that hour, to wear the plumes BIBLE. IV.-QUEEN ESTHER. Let us fill ourselves with costly wine and ointment: Let no flower of the spring pass by us: Let us cover ourselves with rose-buds ere they be withered."-Wisdom of Solomon. which decorated their white linen turbans aslant. A dazzling light was thrown over the richly-laden table by silver chandeliers, while the hall resounded with music and merry laughter. This was the seventh day of the royal feast--a feast given by the king to all his officers and nobles, in comme 'Twas night in Persia. Elam's burning god had passed to other lands, leav-moration of the peace which his unremitted ing his starry train "to rule the night." efforts had procured to the one hundred Arcturus and all his sons were out-Orion | and twenty provinces of his vast kingdom. and the Pleiades shedding soft brilliancy Silence was commanded at the table, and over many a perfumed vale, mountain, and the king spoke : desert lone. Gently their rays were flung over the stately city of Susa, and fairy gardens of the royal palace. Here, flowers, rare and lovely, were giving forth their fragrance to the night. Myriads of roses, jessamines, myrtles, and sweet oleander-glowing pomegranate, almond, graceful chinar and citron, were gathered in gorgeous groups, or bending over the silvery and gushing fountains. A royal banquet-hall arose in this sweet Eden. Gorgeous in its magnificence, it was worthy its royal master. The floor was a rare mosaic of marble and porphyry and alabaster, which gave it the glow of a rich painting. Pillars of marble encircled the apartment, suspended to which by silver rings were hangings of rich stuffs, of white and green and scarlet, looped up with silver cords. A table in the form of a crescent occupied the centre of the room, covered with every rare viand and delicious fruit, with delicately sculptured vases and cups of gold and silver set with precious stones; bearing the most exquisite wines of Helbon and Damascus, the sweet water of Choaspes, sacred to the royal table. Around this luxurious board, reclining upon silver couches covered with purple cushions, were the chief nobles of the Court of Artaxerxes. In the centre was the monarch, arrayed in robes of scarlet and purple, adorned with gold and jewels, and wearing the royal tiara, of cloth of silver and purple silk twisted, which bore a short plume, erect in front. Next the king sat his seven councillors,-the heads of the seven noblest families in Persia, descendants of the conspirators against the usurper, Smerdis, the Magian, and privileged, in memory of the con "This is the last day of the feast, my lords," he said, "let it in joy and mirth exceed the rest. Stint not the wine, 'tis parent of wit and merriment. And yet l would not force your will-let it be the law of our feast that none drink in courtesy more than it pleasureth him.” Loud applauses followed this gracious address from their monarch-the golden flagons were replenished, and jewelled cups flashed in the light. "Still it becometh not me," continued the king, "to argue in the praise of wine; for what sayeth the writer,* It reduces the king, the infant, the poor and rich, to one level. It maketh the heart so joyous that monarchs and governors are no longer feared-the love of friends and kindred is forgotten, and swords are often drawn between them.'" "Bravely hath my lord spoken of wine," said his favourite, Mamucan, who sat next to him; "it is truly a potent thing, and readily masters man, the lord of the earth. But if I dared hazard an opinion, there exists a more powerful thing than wine." "What may that be, Mamucan?" said his royal master. "Say on!" "It is the king," said the favourite. "Man is lord of the earth, you say; he planted the vineyard, and maketh the wine, and doth not the king command all men? If he cominand to kill, they kill; if he cominand to spare, they spare; if he bid them to go to war, to break down mountains, walls, and towers, it is done; if he command to make desolate, to build, to cut down, to plant, man obeyeth him. Confess, then, all ye who hear me, that the * Esdras. king is the most powerful thing in the world." "Yes, wine is strong, and the king is strong, but I know what excelleth both in power," said Prince Admath. "Speak on," said the king. "It is woman, my lord. If mankind rule the world, doth not woman rule him? He that planteth the vine, and the king who commandeth sea and land, owe their existence to her. A man leaveth his mother and country for his wife. For her he will hold as dust all gold and gems and every precious thing of the earth. Will not a man labour more faithfully for the woman of his love than for his king? Yea, he will rob, and spoil, and brave the dangers of the sea, the fury of lions and the terrors of darkness, to gain treasure to lay at a woman's feet! Men have lost their wits, have become slaves, have sinned and have perished for woman's sake. Even the king, commander of the earth, does not he in turn obey a woman? Have I not seen his fair slave, Apamé, sitting beside him on the throne, taking the crown from his august head to place upon her own?-nay, even strike the monarch unchidden! Have I not seen him fear her anger, and even flatter to be received into favour again? Then ac knowledge, O king! and ye, O lords! that woman hath more power than wine or the king." iment. Universal applause crowned the orator who had so skilfully advanced the claims of the female sex to sovereignty. He was declared conqueror in the debate, and the sparkling cups were once more filled high to the honour of woman. A momen tary silence succeeded the clamour, during which a deep sigh was heard in the apartAll started at this unusual sound in the banquet-hall, and the king, turning, beheld beside him his cup-bearer, a Hebrew captive, who stood with his arms folded in his linen mantle, his eyes fixed pensively on the ground, and his whole figure so expressive of mournful musing, as to present a complete contrast to the merry and gaily-dressed courtiers. "How now, Nehemiah?" said the king, why art thou so sad? Why this heartsorrow when all are so gay?" "Let the king live for ever!" said the captive Hebrew; "and let my lord not rebuke me, for why should not my countenance be sad when the place of my fathers' sepulchre lieth waste, and the gates are consumed with fire?" "Nay, do not mar our joy by thy gloom. Cheer up, Nehemiah-come, tell us which thou thinkest strongest in the world. wine, the king, or woman?" 66 They are all excellent in strength, my lord: but, O king, there is something more powerful than these!" said the Hebrew. "And what may that be?" asked the king, smiling to the courtiers, who all looked forward, expecting some amusement at the captive's reply. "Truth is stronger," replied the Hebrew. "Earth and Heaven bow to the power of Truth. In wine, and the king, and woman, is error and death; but Truth endureth always, and conquereth for evermore. True is the earth to her seasons, and swift and true the stars in their course. In the judgment of Truth there is no unrighteousness; but the children of men are wicked. Truth is the strength, and kingdom, and power, and majesty of all ages. Blessed be the God of Truth!"" The Hebrew was silent; a sudden awe fell upon the assembly, and they exclaimed as if with one voice-" Great is Truth and mighty above all things!" 66 Well hast thou spoken, Hebrew," said the king. "I here pronounce thee conqueror in this our argument, and will give thee any boon thou shalt ask!" "If The Hebrew, with a silent ejaculation to his God, knelt before Artaxerxes. it please thee, O king!" he said, "let me be sent to Judea with power to rebuild our holy temple, and the God of Truth shall bless thee evermore?" "Thy request is granted. Remind me of this to-morrow, and I will write the fitting orders." With many thanks, and a heart filled with gratitude to God, the Hebrew fell back behind his beneficient master. "The Hebrew is wise," said the king; "but he has thrown a shade over our mirth. Come, fill up, my lords-let us drink to woman. I give you the fairest in Persia, Queen Vashti !" When they had drank, Prince Mamucan observed: "We drink to her beauty, my lord, upon our faith in your taste; for the lovely qneen hath never blest our eyes." "Tis true," said the king; "but you shall judge for yourselves. I will force you to acknowledge her pre-eminence. Bid the lord chamberlain appear." The queen, already your enemy, will be incensed against you for suggesting this to the king, and she will leave nothing undone to work your woe. Nay, when In the bustle of his entrance, Prince the effect of the wine is over, the king Carshena whispered into the ear of will see his error, and you will be sacriMamucan: "What have you done, ficed to appease her." prince? You have sealed your own ruin!! "You are short-sighted, Carshena," |