and quiet gentlemanly demeanor, give us an ton's is special, and that his absence will be impression of deeper feeling, but less sound marked? Nay, that he promised Lady Carosense-more exalted talents, but want of de- line to be there, and made quite a point of cision-enthusiasm without judgment-good- the matter. O you sad dog!" nature without firmness. But I cannot discourse further, for they are just leaving the coffee-room. "Well, my dear Principle, just allow me to take him in for a few moments; it can do him no harm just to permit him a peep as he goes by." "There would not, perhaps, be much harm : but I think it's better to abandon the idea altogether." "Well Frank, recollect you are to drive to Belgrave Square. I want to see Belmont's new rooms lighted up-you can drop me there. For the present, adieu ;" and the gal lant captain, selon sa coutume, composed him "I assure you, my excellent adviser, I rein the corner, and was "metamorpheused "spect your opinions much, and would comply ere the cab had emerged from the Furnival's with them; but Frank has a bet to decide as Inn gateway. What Frank's meditations to Miss Melton's dress: he can just run in were, not even his tiger could divine; but the and satisfy himself. Besides, you can accomwheels of his chariot splashed the mud of pany him into the box, and take care of Holborn over the pedestrians of ditto for the him." space of half a mile. Naturally enough, he turned down the Queen Streets, it was all in his way to traverse Drury Lane, and not a whit out of it to pass along by thy colonade, O theatre! Nevertheless, it might have seemed that each column "posted "the cab wheel, certes each was passed more slowly than its predecessor, the corner turned, at a walk, the portico stopped at, and Captain Stewart was awakened by Frank's springing past him, and a hasty, "Shenston will drive youcome for me at ten." "What a goose!" quoth the captain. During the time that Frank's outward man reclined in his cab, a very severe contest had been waging in his inward man, the chief combatants being Principle and Inclination. "Ar'nt you ashamed of yourself," said the first, "Mr. Inclination, to be running away with this young fellow from his friends and decent society, and involving him in this scandalous manner with theatricals, and especially with such a girl as?” “Taisez vous," hastily interrupted Inclination. "Miss Melton is an irreproachable individual, and as much to be respected as any young lady I know. She told him the other day, in my presence, that, necessity not choice was her motive for adopting her present profession, and that, had she the means she would leave it to-morrow." "Which story you believed, and which means you meditated furnishing,” replied the other, with a sneer. "Well, I'm not ashamed to avow that it would give me heartfelt pleasure to place Miss Melton beyond the reach of "And Lady Caroline Belvoir, think of Frank's engagement to her." "O hang it! how you do pester one-and just after dinner too, it's really not fair." "Well, why let Farley go to the theatre tonight?" "Why Fanny is to play Juliet, and displays much talent in the part. I am very partial to the play, and her acting tends to elucidate it much." "That's what I intend doing; but why make the man leap out of his cab in such an infernally boisterous manner? I declare I am really killed-every bone is fractured. Bless me, how fast you drag one along. Frank, Frank, don't hurry so. Hang the fellow, he won't hear me.' "Come along," whispered Inclination into Frank's other ear, let us make haste, and leave old twaddle in the rear; I dare say she is speaking at this moment. And now," continued this impertinent fellow, turning round to poor Principle, who, out of breath and spirits, was sneaking into the box behind them, " 'you may just take that and be off;" and with that he administered a kick to the unfortunate, which sent him flying through the closing door. To seek refuge with the boxkeeper was out of the question, and Principle got a cuff from almost every body he met in the lobby and on the staircase, all declaring "he had nothing to do there," until he was fairly turned out into the street, and fain to creep behind the counter of an honest fruiterer's shop close by. Meanwhile, Inclination and Miss Melton had poor Farley all to themselves, and the former kept close to the poor fellow's ear and gave him not a moment's respite. The second act had begun but a short time, and Juliet appeared in simple loveliness in the balcony. "What a splendid girl, Frank !" began the rascal. "Do but mark the expression of her countenance: what intellect, what modesty, what a sweet smile! to say nothing of her figure what a symmetrical bust; and look at that waist, you might span it with your hands, and then-but stop-by George, she has seen you,-that was the look of recognition, never doubt it-she knows you, depend upon it-now listen-” Deny thy father and refuse thy name, "See, see, she's looking at you agħin,” And I'll no longer be a Capulet." "Ahem!" quoth Principle, looking very archly. "Very rational, indeed. I suppose you contemplate making me believe these to be your motives. And pray, do you recollect that Frank's invitation to Lady Darring-submit to reformation: she's over head and "Well, if that was not pointed at you, I'll ears with you-poor creature-and not a soul in the theatre but yourself either sees or interprets those glances. You doubt it, do you? Listen again." "In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond; And, therefore, thou may'st think my 'haviour light." "You will certainly upset me, Mr Farley," said the actress. "Well, I will be more sober, but the blame attaches to you." Miss Melton, with a delightfully embarrassed air, "Hoped," as the cab-wheel grazed the curbstone before her door, "that Mr. Farley would do her the honor to come in "Did you notice that glance?-it spoke and partake of her slight repast." An invivolumes." "There was a look of sincerity:-believe stood by accompanying Frank to his room her, Frank." "I should have been more strange, I must confess, But that thou overheard'st, ere I was 'ware, My true love's passion." "Didn't you find her with your miniature the other day in tears, my dear boy? Come, it's very evident she's deeply in love with you; but poor, retiring, gentle, ladylike creature, she is ashamed to confess it, though she cannot elude my penetration-nay don't color so, or, if you must, why ensconce yourself behind the curtain ?" At length the tragedy was concluded, and Frank left the theatre, but only to order his cab round to the other door, and to prevail on the reluctant Miss Melton to accept a seat in it to her lodgings. "Really, Fanny, you even outdid yourself to-night: I protest I never was so completely overpowered." "I am very glad I succeeded in pleasing you, Mr. Farley." "You don't mean to say you endeavored to do so?" "You are very hasty in your interpretations: but, really-I-to say the truth, I did try to-to-I saw you in your box, andI" "I know it-I know you did-you did see me, Fanny-I could tell it directly." I am very sorry my conduct was so marked." "My dear Fanny, none but myself could have seen it; and perhaps, after all, I am wrong in supposing you have any preference towards-" "Oh, indeed, Mr. Farley, indeed, you are not-but you approved, then, of my conception of the character." "Entirely. You have caught the spirit of the poet in every particular, most admirably. In fact, during the whole piece, I seemed to be led along by some unseen irresistible impulse to follow your ideas. I felt dragged, sometimes against my former notions-pulled along and borne down on the tide of your eloquence: I seemed on the point once or twice of saying so aloud-" "I say, young chap, just pull over your crinkum-crankum bit of a cab to your own side; I wants to go my shay along," bawled a coarse voice on the right, just in time to prevent a collision. tation Frank felt by no means reluctant to accept: and he was soon in the (now well known) little drawing-room chatting with the interesting actress and her drowsy chaperon. How the evening terminated will be best unwhen he arrived at home, an event taking His valet had been dismissed, and, in an easy place about half-past one in the morning. gown and uneasy reverie, he sat over the fire. Principle and Conscience now clubbed their forces, and so unmercifully belabored the unfortunate wight, that he sighed many times a deep and doleful sigh, and finally sinking into a pair of burning hands, he groaned out "Oh, fool! fool!-what a fool I am!— what have I done?-proposed to an actress, and under an engagement to Lady Belvoir. Oh, Caroline, you are much wronged:-an actress-ay, but Fanny is no actress-she is a child of nature-full of naïveté, simplicity 'twould be a cursed shame, indeed, to let such a flower be poisoned by the filthy hotbed of the stage. No, no! Fanny is no longer the public's, she is mine-from her own lips-mine, ay, mine." "Well, are you to have both of them?" growled Conscience. "I'll not allow it on any consideration whatever," said Principle. "My god! what a dilemma I am in!what can I do?—I shall go mad—” "Cut the actress," observed Principle. "O-h-o-o-h," groaned Frank. "Come, come," said Inclination coaxingly, "don't listen to these old simpletons, or they will keep you up all night: the best place for you after your evening's excitement would be bed-allons. Sleep will restore you to the full enjoyment of your faculties," added he, gently urging Frank towards the bed where he was soon dreaming alternately of Lady Caroline Belvoir and the blushing, hesitating, modest Fanny Melton. The fact was, that overcome by the ardor of the moment, he had, during the absence of Fanny's aunt for five minutes, thrown himself, his fortune, and very nearly the whole tray of eatables at the feet of the fascinating actress; they had been, after a due proportion of maidenly embarrassment, accepted, with the exception of the tray, in wonder and gratitude—viola Frank "well in for it." Frank and sleep were at daggers drawn that night, and he had scarcely lounged into his dressing-room on the following morning ere Captain Stewart (who had the entrée of the house at all manner of hours,) knocked at the door, and banging it open, was arrested in mid-rush by observing the worn and pale countenance of his friend, who was measuring his length on a sofa enveloped in | and vehement tone in which the youg man addressed him. a rich morning-gown. "Why, what the deuce have you been about last night? You look like the moon in a fog, or the pipe-clay on a dragoon's indispensables. Which way did you lead your forces? By the way, I have a right to demand satisfaction-what do you mean by cutting me so unceremoniously!-nay, moreover, you trod on my third left toe in your retreat, and compelled me to drive myself to Belgrave Square." "Why didn't you make Shenston take the reins?" "Yes, and have been capsized before I got twenty yards-why Shenston was as drunk as-as-as I believe his master was." 66 Harry, I won't allow any impertinence either to Shenston or myself." "Love me, love my tiger, heh ?" "Well, but was he in truth—” "No, he was in liquor-ergo, in a false state of excitement." "I don't believe you were sufficiently awake to comprehend whether he was or not, but if you really are of opinion-" "How came you by that information, sir— answer me?" "Stand at ease, my good boy; It is not the first time I have dodged a wild friend, tipped a communicative tiger, or kissed an inquisitive abigail." "Did you hear any more damned fabrications, sir? Was that all your information?" roared Frank, in an agony of apprehension. "Whew, whew-steady, boy-halt, halthere's a volley of artillery. So there is something discoverable here. Frank, mon camarade, you are by no means an adept at keeping your own counsel:-why, you should be as cool as the Serpentine in January,-that amazing burst of yours has begun to make me sensible-" "What a beatific reformation!" mumbled Frank, unable to forego the joke. "Sensible of some underplot or other. Surely, my dear fellow, you have not been such a fool as to make any serious proposition to the girl." "Fool or no fool, 1 proposed, and was accepted; so there you have my whole secret," said the other hurriedly, and he rose and paced up and down the room in deep thought. Captain Stewart looked about as much astonished as a thorough man of the world conve "Come, come; I didn't beat the reveillez at eight o'clock this morning, and make a forced march upon your position, for the purpose of discussing the ebriety of your (or rather of your cab's) adherent:-to the breach, man. I intend to know what you did with your pre-niently may, stroked one whisker, then the cious person last night-now, no evasionsno quibblings-” "Nor answers either shall you get, you model of effrontery; where is your commis sion ?" other, pulled his moustachios, hemmed thrice, and began "Frank, excuse the personality of the following observation, but you are certainly about as huge a blockhead as a man could desire to behold between Hyde Park and Charing Cross, or between Spitzbergen and the Cape of Good Hope-why, what the devil's to become of Lady -?" "Safe locked up, I hope, in the only bureau I possess, in company with half a dozen bottles of "peculiar" Madeira, my will, half a box of private cigars, four drafts of proposals, and seventeen hundred and fifty-six billets "Don't for heaven's sake mention her doux; and, as to my right to examine wit- name. Oh, Harry, I scarcely know what to nesses, why, haven't I a right to demand three do or think-my brain is absolutely burning several satisfactions,-one for cutting me, one-do act my friend, and give me some notion for treading on my toe, and one for making of how or what I am to do." me drive myself?-now I'll forego them all on condition you answer me as many questions-" "Speak." "Oh, no-contrary to the rules of war-an unconditional surrender." "Then you shall have neither answers nor satisfaction. I love myself too much to take the trouble of doing the first, and the ladies too well to deprive them of so efficient a beau by doing the second." "Well, but seriously, Frank, did you see Fanny Melton last night?" and the inquiring glance of the captain caused a faint tinge of color on the sallow features of Frank. "I saw her on the stage," said he with a faint smile. "And in the cab-in your cab-and home -and at home-hey?—and there you stayed till one o'clock, gossipping and getting deeper and deeper in love every minute." Frank looked amazed and alarmed, and the laughing captain was startled by the loud "Frank, I will be candid with you. I consider your conduct worse than foolish—you have acted basely-ay, basely, Frank. I grieve much to be obliged to use the word, but it is too true." (Farley groaned.) acknowledge that there is much excuse to be made for you. I have no doubt that pains were not wanting, nor allurements untried, to entrap a rich young-" "I "Captain Stewart, beware what you say: I will endure anything which relates to myself--I deserve it—but not one word against her, not a syllable, if you value my friendship." "Eh bien, qu'il soit-as to your present line of conduct, how do you meditate extricating yourself? by dissolving your engagement with the peeress or the actress?" "The former," said Farley, with a deep sigh. "Consider well, my dear friend." 66 Harry, I have spent this night in doing so, and have made up my mind to this course. I did think I loved Caroline, but it was a dream -a short and pleasant one-I woke to the The tide of emotion and affection which reality of my attachment to Fanny. I would this epistle excited, burst through all the to God I could live over yesterday: but it is sluicegates of prudence, reflection, and regone, never to be recalled; and I must disen-pentance, but was nevertheless much checked gage myself from Lady Belvoir. Harry, in its progress by the other. were I not engaged to Fanny, do you suppose Lady Caroline would, for a moment, accept a husband who was the professed admirer of another, and that other an actress ?-Never, never. I know that I have outraged every principle of honor and justice-I have sacrificed myself on the altar of passion and will not flinch, though the fire scorch my very vitals." He was silent for a few moments. "Frank, these heroic effusions are lost on a matter-of-fact fellow like myself; just view the thing coolly if you can. You know you have only to write a note to Lady Belvoir, stating the circumstances (in what way you know best) of your being engaged to another, and the consequence will be, a fit of hysterics, and a formal relinquishment of all claim on her part; nor, I think, need you fear any thing from Lord Belvoir but a horsewhipping." "And do you really think, Harry, I could sit down to write such a note? Impossible impossible-not for worlds." “Well, but for Fanny Melton." "Oh, Harry, Harry, you are but a poor adviser." "Why, you're pretty right, my stock of consolations is but small, and so-God bless me, (pulling out his watch in a violent hurry,) so seems my memory. Why, my dear fellow, I ought to have been at the Horse Guards by this time. Good bye-good bye; read "Watts on the Mind," dare say you'll find something there for the "mind diseased;" or "Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy," and just scan "The Complete Letter Writer" through for a model till i return -adieu." As soon as the door closed Farley threw himself on the sofa in a state of the deepest dejection. Remorse for his conduct towards Lady Belvoir, who he knew loved him too fondly, and a half repentance for his wild engagement with Miss Melton, so overpowered him, that he felt as though he could have wept for sheer misery. As it was, he sat gnawing his lips until he was able, by the arrival of his chocolate, to substitute some of the slips of toast for them. During breakfast two notes were brought to him, which eventually determined his conduct for the day. The first ran thus: "MY DEAR MR. FARLEY; "The happy events of last night caused me altogether to forget that I shall be at leisure the whole of this evening, as I do not go to Drury Lane to-night. You must forgive my not being sufficiently initiated yet, to know whether I am acting à-la-mode to send you an invitation, but I cannot help saying the truth, that I shall be most happy to see you to tea. "Yours ever, affectionately, "DEAR FRANK; "I am positively quite out of humor with you. I think you must have quarrelled with me, at least, every one tells me so, though I do not precisely recollect the circumstance. I will really never pardon you if you do not produce yourself to-day. I have a new pony to show you a present from papa-most beautiful-you must come. Breakfast will not be over till eleven, and I shall expect you before that time. "Yours affectionately, "CAROLINE BELVOIR." "I will attend both," said he, as he folded them up and threw them on one side-not until, however, he had casually remarked that the seal on Miss Melton's was the same he recollected having seen in the possession of one Major Delisp, an unbounded puppy, and dangler on to theatres, &c., but gave it not another thought. He was soon on his way to Lord Belvoir's, with a heavy heart and an aching head. His footsteps flagged more and more as he approached the door, and he remained outside some minutes cre he could summon courage to knock. However, he at length entered the breakfastroom. "Oh, you provoking creature," exclaimed Lady Belvoir, starting up, "I don't think I ought to excuse your shameful desertionbut you are pale-you have not been ill!" said she, affectionately, as she extended her hand. "Are you unwell, Frank?" asked the earl from his newspaper. "Thank you, merely a slight head-ache," answered Farley; and now, for some time, he had to listen to the wild gay chatter of Lady Belvoir, to admire the same brilliancy of intellect, the same piquancy of wit, which had so often charmed him in former days; but her ladyship soon began to perceive that something extraordinary possessed Frank, and her tone of gaiety became gradually lowered and restrained; and the strange manner in which he avoided meeting her eye, was a painful contrast to the eager, arden gaze beneath which her own eyelids used to fall: and how much may any one, especially woman, gather from the eye? Well, the breakfast was removed, and the earl departed to his library, and Frank and lady Caroline remained, talking commonplace, and sometimes wholly silent; both felt an unusual degree of awkward restraint, the one from conscious guilt, the other from undefined apprehension. "Well, and why did you not come to Lady Darrington's last night?" "I-I—was at Drury Lane." "At Drury Lane ?" repeated her ladyship, as though endeavoring to recall some recol lection. "Well, I am sure, ladies should not, (if they take my advice,) allow their husbands to go to theatres; and if ever I should be so foolish as to-to-think of Frank Farley as my” "Caroline," said Frank, rapidly turning round, and looking her full in the face, "it may never be." 66 Why, Miss Melton, to be sure." "You means young Miss Melton, of Drury Lane!" "Yes, yes-what is the matter?" "Please, sir, she's gone out of town." "Gone out of town! what, any one dying?" "Lor bless ye, sir; no, she went along with Major Delisp, of the 10th Dragoons." "With whom? Woman-fiend!" shouted Frank. Had Lady Caroline been suddenly transformed into a marble statue, she could not have been more pale and motionless, for the "Please, sir, don't scream so; perhaps first few seconds after this short announce- you'd better see Miss Melton as remains, the ment. The tone and manner in which it was aunt, sir-poor soul, she takes on so. That conveyed, could leave not a shadow of a Major Delisp, sir, I never liked him-lor, if doubt. The man to whom, in the generosity he aint gone!" added she, as Frank rushed of her heart, she had given her very soul, from the door like a madman. "Dear me, was returning her an unrequited and an un- sure he's a little intoxicated-only to see how valued gift. Suddenly she started up, and he staggers about;" and the abigail shut the placing her small white hand on an arm door, as Frank sunk unobserved on a step, in whose very tendons quivered beneath their the utter agony of self-accusing wretchedtiny grasp, "Frank Farley," said she, withness. the fearful calmness of intense agony, the idle tale I heard true, then? Am I rejected-cast off-and for-how can I name her? Frank, you do not answer; one word only, for God's sake-if it be only to kill me! Frank! Frank! answer me only this one question. Do you love another?" "Caroline, I can never forgive myself. I have wronged you beyond the power of thought," groaned forth the young man, as he disengaged his arm, and buried his face in 66 was The next morning Lord Belvoir and his daughter again sat at their breakfast table, but in a different mood to what had influenced their minds on the previous day. Lady Caroline had informed her father of Frank's rejection; the earl had been wounded to the quick-he dearly loved his child, and felt honorably indignant at the insult offered to her. At her earnest request, however, he had forborne to mention it further, to herself or any one else. Lady Belvoir was still pale, but calm and peaceful, and in silence the Lady Caroline's eagerness, her energy was meal was being despatched, when Captain gone, and calm she remained. She did not Stewart was announced. He entered the shriek, or faint, but the arrow had pierced room hurriedly, and with a vain attempt to deep into the heart. She simply said, "May appear calm, glanced at Lady Belvoir, and I request you to remain a few moments?" then "requested a word alone with his lordand left the room. A minute after she re-en-ship, immediately.” tered with a packet; she was, if possible, paler than when she left the room-the transparent snowy whiteness of her features was slightly tinged with a livid hue. his hands. "Mr. Farley," said she, drawing herself up to her full height, and speaking with bitter distinctness, "these are all that I ever received from you—the many letters-the bracelets -the miniature-take them, sir; from this moment all communication ceases between us"—her voice faltered slightly—" for ever?" "Caroline-hear one word "Not one, sir-I have heard too much-I wish you farewell;" and she rang the bell. The bitter cold look of the lady sealed Frank's mouth-it was a look that none could have ventured to misunderstand. He left the house. Wretched and slow where the hours he endeavored to wile away till seven. He began to rally, and became more cheerful as the hour of his engagement approached, and the picture of the blushing happy actress erased, to a certain extent, that of the high-souled, agonized, and injured being he had left. Seven o'clock beheld him quickening his pace to the door of Miss Melton's house. His hasty knock soon brought the domestic-he was just pushing in, when he was arrested by, "Beg pardon, sir, whom did you wish to see?" VOL. 1. 38 "You are not come to plead for your worthless friend, I hope!" said the earl, sternly. "Alas! no, my lord; but I wish to speak with your lordship immediately." "Captain Stewart," interrupted Lady Belvoir, "you have bad news, let us hear the worst at once-I am prepared," but her lip quivered with anxiety. "Then, Lady Belvoir, my poor friend will never deed one to plead for him more." "Is it even so? then am I indeed bereft," sobbed her ladyship, for the woman remained unsubdued, and she smothered, though unchanged affections of her soul, burst out in fuller force than ever. She wept abundantly. The earl was affected-for Frank had been an universal favorite. "What was the immediate cause of his death, captain?" The captain shrugged his shoulders with a shudder of horror-he thought unobserved by Lady Belvoir; but she had seen him, and she half raised herself from the sofa on which she had sank. "He did not wilfully give up the life which only God may take!" "It is too true, Lady Belvoir: that worthless woman, for whom he abandoned every thing, left town yesterday morning, the mistress of another man. Poor Frank ascertained the fact late last night. I saw him an |