This welcome news gave Arabella abundance of employment; she had now to arrange for her brother's reception, and such a labour of love filled all her thoughts. A chamber on the third floor, which had been used as an extra store-room, was speedily put in order. Sydney's campbed, which he had left in town, was put up, the pictures tastefully displayed, the toilette-table decorated with all a fond sister fancied could increase the happiness of one she loved so well. The hours passed rapidly—about six Unthank and her father returned.

“ Bella, my darling,” said he, “I hope you have provided substantial fare for us. This youth and myself are tired and hungry-we have been on our legs the whole day.”

“I must beg the patience of Mr. Unthank and yourself; our dinner hour, to-day, is seven, for I expect an addition to our party. Wish me joy, dear Papa, Sydney will dine with us."

Sydney! Are you serious ?” asked her father, with a fond and joyous accent.

Ay, Sydney! and ar ye sarious ?” was the aside of Phineas; which, if it could be called an echo of Mr. Winter's query, so thoroughly contrasted his tone, as to be a very Irish echo.

Arabella, pretending not to hear it, replied,

“ Yes; I heard from him this morning, and have been busy all day getting his room in order.”

“ His room, my love; you haven't, surely

“ Oh! no: I have turned a store into a barrack, Papa. I will explain all to him.”

“ And who would the him be, Miss?" demanded Phineas.

“ The man who, next to papa, I love best upon earth,” answered Arabella;

fine young man who almost adores me.' “ Is it love ? the man ? the div- our son of Erin checked himself adding“ the division of thy regards, peradventure, may satisfy thy father, and this Sydney, but—" “ Poo!” broke in the merchant," she means my son, her brother.”

Now, raly?” cried Phineas, laughing; “ aud to take such a start out of me? a fine young fellow I'll be bail-so are the pair of ye here present. But his room? It appeareth unto me, friend Winter, that in thy wish to make me welcome, thou hast given me the sleeping apartment of thy son, why! Now, I affirm that I shall be well content to repose in-another chamber in this house;" and, as he spoke, there was a quaintness of expression in his tone and face that made Arabella laugh and blush at the same time.

She, however, soon asserted her dignity as hostess; and, desiring Unthank not to fancy for a moment that he was one too many in the house, changed the conversation by asking him what he thought of the city.

“I am almost too bothered with what I have seen to give thee a correct reply to thy question. Friend Winter led me to that temple of Mammon, the Bank of England, and I beheld divers gloomy cellars filled with the precious metals; whilst in the upper part of the building people were employed in giving and recaiving sundry parcels of thin paper, why! We next looked upon the assemblage of merchants upon 'Change ; and then, by manes of a long and somewhat unasy conveyance, we reached the Docks; and I give thee my word, that the number

a very

of ships from all parts of the world therein safely sheltered, with huge buildings filled with divers sorts of worldly goods, was a marvel unto me. The house in which certain dues are collected for the man William, called King, is a capacious edifice, and that ancient structure, founded, as some affirm, by the pagan Julius, is curious to look upon. Nor must I forget to tell thee that I saw many of the friends, but they appeared too much occupied by their own affairs to regard the presence of a stranger, even though one of their own community. Now, with thy lave, I will somewhat repair my outward man, and give myself the benefit of an ablution, that I may not shame thee in the presence of thy brother, by soiled garments.”

Scarcely had Phineas retired when Sydney arrived.

After many affectionate greetings, a few moments sufficed to inform him of the presence of a stranger, and that he must for a few days submit to a slight inconvenience. “ He is really a very well-intentioned young man, Syd, and you

will oblige Papa by being as civil to him as you can.”

“I'll do my best, dear girl, but I fear it will be difficult to win my way with a starched piece of morality such as I suppose this visitor of ours to be.”

At seven the party assembled, the brother was introduced, and the social meal proceeded. Mr. Winter, supposing that the custom of challenging to take wine did not exist with the friends, filled the glass of Phineas, and drank his health, on which the young man, with a nod, replied, “ I thank thee, friend Francis,” and, after a brief pause, swallowed the Madeira. The merchant and his children “ quaffed loving cups,” but no attempt was made to induce the Quaker to fall in with the ceremonials of society; he was requested to take care of himself, and the trio vied with each other in sparing him even that pleasant employment.

It was quickly evident to Mr. Winter, that his boy had found favour in the eyes of the visitor, and before the evening closed, strange as it may appear, Sydney had extorted a promise from Phineas that he would accompany Arabella and himself, to see some of the sights of London, habited in a surtout, trousers, and hat, belonging to the young soldier. Many were Unthank's scruples at the first mention of such a profanation, but Bella brought the powerful artillery of her bright eyes and sweet smiles to play on the citadel of his heart (and, be it remembered, that heart was an Irish one), and the follower of Fox yielded at length to the joint attack of sister and brother,

The next morning, when Sydney, descending from his room, entered the apartment of Phineas, he found him standing before the cheval glass, and uttering doubts as to the identity of the figure he beheld attired in colours so much at variance with the sober tints of his usual raiment.

“By Jove !” exclaimed the soldier, “ I should scarcely know you; that black satin stock gives a warlike air to your face, and my Nugees show off to advantage better legs than they were ever measured for the coat fits admirably, and you have put on the hat with an air so jaunty, as though you were a born exquisite. Arabella will be proud of such an escort."

At these commendations, our transformed youth blushed to the roots

of his hair—which, instead of being combed smoothly over his forehead in the ordinary mode, was arranged with such taste as would have made Truefit jealous.

“Ah, then, friend Sydney,” began Phineas.

“Hold hard !" my dear fellow—friends we are, doubtless, and hope ever will be, but you must change your discourse to match your

habitcall me 'Sydney,' and my father, Mr. Winter.' I'll dispense with ‘Miss,' for my Sister, call her' Arabella,' or 'Bella,' or my dear,' or anything else you like—but no thee-ing to-day, or you'll be found outand then I'll not answer for the consequences.”'

“By my conscience, then, Sydney, I'm mightily afraid that I shall betray myself, why! so have a care of me, and I will endeavour to meet thy—your wish, and sustain this masquerade as the vain ones—I mean as you-we-call a change of dress.”

“ Bravo! well begun, i'faith! Now for breakfast."

Arabella could not refrain from expressing her surprise and delight at the metamorphosis, and they shortly sallied forth.

Father,” said Sydney, on their return, we went first to the Museum, where Unthank astonished us by his knowledge of zoology, mineralogy, and all sorts of scientifics."

“ Theest bear in mind,” said Phineas, “ that we are not let studyprofane, I mane light arts and accomplishments—wherefore the useful and harmless occupy our minds out and out.”

“Nay,” laughed the brother, “ the marble antiques, and the beauties of our national gallery, elicited such commentaries of yours as convince me that, if you know little of the fine arts, you are no bad judge of the charms of nature.” “ Commentaries ?” repeated Arabella ;

“ I'm sure he did not say a word

“For shame now, Sydney!" demurely tittered Unthank, “ if the looks of me made what the poet calls expressive silence'-what harum ? Arabella, why! if beauty inadorned dumbfounders me, at laste you'll own I was anything but too mute in Ragent Street. 'Deed, then, friend Winter, look where I would, into the gay coaches, or the shuperb shops, what would I see but iligant women? Och, the cratures! Short time as we stayed, my head was nigh crazed before we

quit.”

Mr. Winter was well pleased to hear that his young friend had been so much amused; and Sydney, desirous that the day should end as it began, proposed an evening walk with the somewhat bewildered stranger.

Without apprising him where he was going, Syd led the unsuspecting transformed to Covent Garden Theatre; nor was it till they were seated, that Phineas became conscious that he had entered the “ Temple of Sathan.” With a deprecating look he whispered to his mischievous companion,

“A theatre! I've put my fut in it! Sure enough we have a right to one such peep-therefore, since I am here and shall never visit it again, I may as well observe what is passing, and gather honey even in this garden of poisonous flowers."

On their way home some well-dressed ruffians attempted to hustle them and pick their pockets; Sydney was about to inflict summary

99

punishment with his stout cane, but the man of peace, mistaking them for gentlemen, interfered, and prevented his friend from chastising those most active in the attack. This annoyed the young soldier, forgetful of the real character of his companion; and, looking on him as one of his own age, blessed with thews and sinews, the disinclination to bring them into play on such an occasion somewhat impaired the good opinion he had formed of the young

Irishman. It was evident to Arabella that some cloud had passed over her brother's evening. Utterly unconscious of having given offence, the delighted Quaker was diffuse in his description of all that had happened during his absence.

“ Now I'd heard, at home,” he said, “ that you say playhouses may be schools for mor', and 'tis thrue for you-I spake to ye all. That • Gamester,' why! isn't a lesson ?-Ah, the poor wife !"

“ Yes," sneered Sydney, “ this sensitive gentleman's sobs attracted general notice.”

“Not more nor my laughter did at the briefer piece which succeeded, theest allow. I laughed till I cried. Great Charlis Kemble and little Kaly went halves in my tares."

“ Oh, Sir, I am quite ready to confess that your début as a man of the world created a great sensation. Its quality is another matter."

" Its quality, if spread to Cork, would be inconvanient,” resumed Unthank; “I pray ye, therefore, keep sacret my visit to the actors, by raison that my parents will be incensed, why! I desire that my father may belave my single privilege that way still unclaimed, as it would be a sore thrial for me to make my first play my last. However,” he continued, “ to-morrow I shall resume my own attire, and hope with it the even tenor of my way,' as somebody aptly expresses it in a fine pome.”

" You will do right, Mr. Unthank," replied Sydney, somewhat spitefully, “ a broad brim and a formal suit I find become you

best." “ Friend Sydney thee art somewhat out of humour; remember thou art a man of war, why! and that strife is part of thy calling : bear in mind that I am

· Rather backward in coming forward,”” interrupted the irrate soldier, “ as somebody aptly expresses it in a fine pome.” And he gave so admirable an imitation of Unthank's tone and manner that Bella and her father could not restrain their laughter, in which they were unaffectedly joined by the good-humoured subject of their risibility.

Bella, dear,” said Sydney to his sister the next morning, “ you will have to take care of our visitor to-day-I have an engagement, and, to say truth, after his showing the white feather so thoroughly, I've no vast ambition to offer him my arm; besides, fancy what I should endure if any of my brother-officers were to catch me in the fact of bear-leading a man with such a hat and coat! the thing's impossible!"

The handsome face of the young Irishman betrayed evident symptoms of delight when Arabella proposed a walk to him, and soon after breakfast they made their way to the Regent's Park. The opportunity of a tête-à-tête, as unexpected as agreeable, was not thrown away. Unthank at once declared his love for the fair girl, and used all the arts of persuasion he possessed to induce her to become his and “one of the faithful at the same time. Arabella, with her usual frankness, assured the ardent Phineas that such a step was impossible; she could not resign the gaieties of the world, however she might respect the sect to which he belonged; besides, whatever her inclinations might be, she felt assured that her brother would be adverse to the union.

“ But if I obtain thy father's consent, why! surely thee canst overcome the objections of one who appears so attached to thee as Sydney Winter?”

“You have not yet gained my permission to address my father on the subject, and I beg you to dismiss it entirely from your thoughts. I shall always feel an interest in you, but your education and early habits preelude the possibility of that interest increasing to the regard you would fain awaken."

Poor Phineas was sorely grieved at this death-blow to his hope, and, for some time, walked in silence by the side of her who had inspired him with his first love. As they slowly continued their walk a broadshouldered hulking fellow, laden with a basket of ashes, mounted his cart, and, at the moment they approached, deliberately emptied the wicker receptacle of its contents, so as to envelop the pair in a cloud of dust.

“By the-by thy lave, thee mightst have waited till we had passed, I think,” said Phineas, in an angry tone.

“What for, I wonder ?” asked the vulgar vagabond ; "am I to stop my work for every puppy that passes with his gal? You're mighty particular, I don't think. I s'pose you fancy your fine miss's eyes are hinjured with a little hinnocent dust; let's have a look, Marm."

And the filthy lout laid his hand upon Arabella's veil, but, before his fingers had closed upon the lace, the intruder was rolling in the road. Phineas had given him so well-directed a blow that he fell like a lump of clay into his “ native element*.” A policeman, who had witnessed the assault and punishment, requested the terrified Arabella to proceed with her courageous friend, and the man of mud was conveyed in his own cart to the station-house.

“ That day they walked no more," save homeward, and Arabella “ gave such a blushing cital” of Unthank's gallantry and prowess, that the old merchant overwhelmed him with praise, and Sydney nearly shook his hand off, calling him his “glorious Quaker,” his “magnanimous Phin,” his “ most courageous of friends.”

“ I'd like well thy calling me brother, friend Sydney,” said Unthank, with marked emphasis and manner.

Sydney stared. Before the evening waned, however, the fond youth had made him the confidant of his love, and, to his unexpected joy, received an assurance that no obstacle would arise on his part.

The few days that remained of his stay were not idle ones with Unthank; he pleaded his suit with great eloquence, and Arabella confessed that the only barrier to her acceptation of him was his being a Quaker. The day of his departure arrived, and he took leave of the Winters in so melancholy a mood as to excite their warmest sympathies. Months rolled on: every letter from the respectable firm of “ Unthank, Ash, Fry, and Co.," brought a few lines addressed to Arabella from her desponding swain. Suddenly these letters ceased, and

* As rivers are so called to ships, I hope mud and dust may be allowable on the same principle.

Oct.-Vol. LIV. NO. ccxiv.

R