servient to each other, and all is blended into one harmonious.whole.

On the self-same evening on which Gertrude was deserted by her villanous husband, and, all circumstances considered, thrown into a situation as wretched as could well be imagined for a young and delicate woman-delicate alike in mind and body-the mansion of the British ambassador in St. Petersburgh, was thrown open to receive a gay concourse of visiters. The beauty, youth, high rank, and splendid fortune of his lady, had created a great sensation even in that cold climate; which, together with her noble character and elegant mind, caused her balls and soirées to be acknowledged as the models of good taste and fashion. No expense had been spared to congregate the luxuries of every climate at her shrine; and at seasons when the inclemency of the weather deprived the hardy Russ of some of his "fair proportions," the most delicate Eastern rose was seen

to bloom in the bosom of the fair English

woman.

At the precise moment which this chapter is meant to open upon, she reclined upon a costly divan, of peculiar construction and magnificence, the especial gift of the Emperor of all the Russias to herself. Her dress was a graceful demi-toilette,—or, at least, what might have been considered such, but for the rich jewels with which she was laden; and which, as the cassette still lay open beside her, gave the idea of a whimsical fit of indolence; refusing to suffer the annoyance of changing her costume of the morning, even to receive the noble guests of the evening, and compromising the matter by sending for her jewels: while, without moving from her luxurious seat, she glanced her eyes, now and then, to one or other of the splendid mirrors by which the reception-room was surrounded, as she tried on one costly toy after another, and selected those which suited best with her dégagée dress.

The occupation and the scene might have become an Eastern princess; while the high and

aristocratic cast of her fine features, together with the air of listless languor which at this moment sat upon them, would not have misbecome the character, had she not been betrayed by her own island's peculiar beauty― the perfect blonde of her rich complexion and silken tresses.

She soon, however, tired of her feminine occupation; and as it yet wanted an hour or more of the time when she might expect her guests, she took up a book that lay beside her, as if to while away that hour. Apparently, the book had not the power of charming longer than the jewels; for presently she threw it also from her, and touching a little golden bell that lay within her reach, the attendant spirit appeared.

"Let baby be brought to me," she said; but the answer returned was that baby slept.

"Pshaw! I think she always sleeps when I most wish for her," she muttered half-pettishly, half-fondly and again she raised her eyes to the beautiful toy which sang out the hours in

sweet music for her ear, as if to drown the hoarse voice of Time, and pointed to the passing moments with a golden rose; as if music, gold, or flowers could beguile one step of his steady tread, or hide one wrinkle of his furrowed brow!

There still remained the hour to be got over, and seldom did the fair islander feel so little inclination to turn it to account. She yielded to her languor for the present; and dismissing her jewel-box, rejecting her book, and entrenching herself more deeply in the downy depth of her cushions, she suffered herself to sink into a dreamy slumber. Its duration was not destined to be much longer than that of the other re sources she had tried.

Scarcely had she quite "forgot herself" in some fairy vision, when she was startled back to life and all its realities by the massive doors of the chamber being thrown open, and Lady Harriet Stuart announced by one of her English servants. The lady instantly followed on

the announcement, and the door was closed

behind her.

The noble hostess started up to receive her; and casting yet one more hasty glance at the beautiful timepiece, rather apologetic than reproachful, was advancing to receive her guest with her usual grace, when the latter, rushing towards her, wildly flung herself at her feet, and seizing hold of her dress, buried her face in it, and burst into hysteric sobbing.

The lady shrieked-and looking hastily round for her little golden bell, was about to snatch it and ring for assistance, when the stranger, perceiving her intention, seized both her wrists, and holding them gently, but with sufficient force, deprived her of the power of executing her purpose. In this movement, however, she necessarily looked up; and there was that in the wasted loveliness and woe-begone expression of her face and person, that at once arrested and riveted the attention of her to whom she clung, while it served in part to increase that