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Lacy felt relieved from a great part of his anxiety, and was on the point of turning back, when the call of "Lord Appleby's carriage stops the way," caught his ear, which was immediately followed by the information that Lord Appleby was coming down. It instantly struck him that Agnes was going in that carriage, and that his exertions were indeed fruitless. There was no use in proceeding, yet he could not be satisfied without being assured by ocular proof of her actual departure. He entered the hall, saw a carriage at the door, with the step let down, and Sackville handing in a lady, whom, as her face was turned from him and her head enveloped in a hood, he could not distinguish; but who he doubted not was Agnes. In another minute the carriage was gone, and Lacy returned in useless regret to the ball-room.

Lady Lacy was in no haste to return; and for another hour did Herbert endure the misery of feeling himself obliged to wear the galling mask of cheerfulness, and to talk and smile, while his mind was afflicted with a more poignant sorrow than he had yet known.

At length, he was released from this state of torment; and never did prisoner quit his dungeon more willingly than he escaped from the splendid mansion of Westcourt. Little was said on the way home, for he pretended sleep, that he might muse in silence over the events of the past evening.

CHAPTER XXIII.

True generosity rises above the ordinary rules of social conduct, and flows with much too full a stream to be comprehended within the precise marks of formal precepts. It sanctifies every passion, and adds grace to every acquisition of the soul: and if it does not necessarily include, at least, it reflects a lustre upon the whole circle of moral and intellectual qualiMELMOTH-Fitzosborne's Letters.

tics.

AFTER a night of feverish sleep, Lacy awoke to a melancholy recollection of the past, and an anxious consideration of the steps which it now remained for him to take. His final determination was to see Agnes, if possible, that morning, and to defer all communication to his father, till he could also relate to him the result of the interview.

At breakfast Herbert met Sir William, who doubting not that his son had passed an evening of the most unmixed gratification, assailed him with many sportive remarks and questions, which it was distressing to receive, and difficult to answer. Agitated by these unconscious attacks, Herbert withdrew himself as soon as possible; and being eager to arrive at a clearer understanding of the terms on which he and Agnes were henceforth to meet, rode over to Dodswell. On arriving there, he was told that Mr. Morton and Sackville were not at home; neither were the ladies, "who," added the servant, "are out walking.

As the man said this, Herbert cast his eyes towards the shrubbery; and, at the same time, caught

a glimpse of a female figure at a distance, which he immediately conceived to be Agnes. It disappeared almost as soon as it was visible; but it was sufficient to determine his course; and, giving his horse to the servant, he set out in quest of her.

Agnes, who had suffered much, and who felt constrained to assume tranquillity in the presence of Sackville. and her father, was ineffectually endeavouring to allay the fever of her mind in a solitary walk; and Sackville, who understood her feelings, had considerately abstained from intruding his society when he knew she wished to be alone. Walking slowly to and fro in a sequestered alley of the shrubbery, earnestly did she endeavour to collect her scattered thoughts. In many various lights did she consider the conduct of Lacy, in which there was much that she did not understand. That he should have received, so coolly, tidings which, if his former manner were any thing but the most hollow and frivolous gallantry, ought to have cost him such a pang?—That it should instantly have been followed by a request of her hand, as if their situations were still unchanged! That he should have uttered not one syllable in allusion to this startling event!-these were all subjects of sorrow and surprise. His silence, it is true, might be interpreted favourably. An indifferent person would, perhaps, have whispered some formula of congratulation; one who felt deeply could not. His manner, too, was far from being cheerful and composed; and though there were gleams of gaiety in it, it was a forced unnatural gaiety, as if assumed to conceal his real feelings.

These considerations again induced her to believe that Lacy really cared for her. Then again would she reproach herself for questioning on such a subject: she was the affianced bride of another, and must learn to forget that Lacy had ever held a

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place in her heart. Then arose a consideration still more serious, whether she were justified, with her affections thus disposed, in accepting the hand of another; whether she could fulfil her marriage vow, and could offer other than an imperfect pledge and a divided love.

"I know not," said she; "these are points which I cannot argue with the coolness of an uninterested reasoner; but I sincerely trust that this sacrifice of my best affections will not be blameable in the sight of Heaven. If I cannot love as I could wish, him whose lot I shall engage to follow, still I trust I shall so fulfil the duties of a wife, that he shall never have cause to reproach me for any want of due affection. If my sentiments are erroneous, on my head will the misery fall; and I can never lose the satisfaction of feeling, that by the sacrifice of my own happiness, I have saved my parents from misfortune. As for Lacy, be his sentiments what they may, there remains no course but to forget him."

She was mournfully repeating to herself this last resolution, when approaching footsteps caught her ear. She turned, and Lacy stood before her. The ardour of impatient search had flushed his cheek, while that of Agnes was pale as death. It was for both an agitating moment, and to Lacy scarcely less than to Agnes, though he it was that sought the interview. He was the first to speak.

"I was told," said he, in a voice that trembled with emotion, "that you were here, and I came in search of you.

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"My father is not here," replied Agnes, scarcely knowing what she said, yet feeling with instinctive delicacy, that she ought not to be the object of Lacy's visit. "I am afraid I cannot tell you where

he is. Was your visit to him-ornot utter the name of Sackville.

she could

"It was you, I wished to see," said Lacy. "I

what I will ask now. Is it true?" said he, lowering his voice to a deep earnest whisper; "is that true which I heard last night!"

She understood his meaning, though it was imperfectly expressed. She trembled with agitation; and the words "Quite true," alone escaped her lips.

A distressing silence followed her reply. Each was conscious that, in the hurry of the moment, they had allowed their tone and manner to express too plainly their real feelings; and Lacy became aware that the abruptness of his address could be excused on no other ground.

"Pray forgive me," he said, "if I offend you -I hardly know what I am saying-I know that I owe you an apology. Last night-what must you have thought of me! that under such circumstances, I should have shown so little delicacy as to claim your hand! to lead you out to observation! I too! but he wished it, or I should not have presumed. It was kindly meant-it was a mark of his confidence; for he did not know-But! I am wandering; I am going to tell what you should not know any more than he-but no matter-disguise is impossible-I will tell you all.”

Remember

"No, Mr. Lacy-no," exclaimed Agnes, turning from him. "Tell me nothing, I entreat you; I have no wish-no right to know. my situation, and respect it. The time is pastI cannot-must not hear what you would say.

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"Then you can guess what I would say?" replied Lacy, eagerly. "Yes, I see you understand me. You can believe that mine was no unmeaning preference, no heartless, frivolous attention. You can believe that, whatever I had been required to sacrifice to ensure your happiness, I would”.

"Enough, enough," cried Agnes. "Yes, I can believe it all; but this is no fit subject for us

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