Very likely," said Burrell, with a yawn,

every thing falls now; you may buy shoe-strings at five shillings a piece less than you could this time last year.'

Why, you provoking wretch!" said Lady Harriet, " I shall not sleep to night, if you really mean the folly you have been uttering."

"Why," said Burrell, try the opium-eater-a dream for five and twenty drops may be had, and you may choose your subject; it may be Delaware, we all know you love him."

Lady Harriet looked indeed mortified; he placed Lord Delaware before her as the god of her idolatry; and though his Lordship was unconscious of the heart he had conquered by his common-place civility, he had often passed more agreeable moments with her than with most of the ladies of fashion. She was sprightly in conversation, animated on most subjects, and enthusiastic in the political tenets which her father had for many years supported. She was an only daughter, and possessed every accomplishment that man is taught to admire in woman.

Her father was the head of the party which was seeking power, by an opposition to the profligate men, who were running a career of folly unrestrained by any feeling which should animate a government.

The only amiable character among them was the Earl of Bristol, and he was unfortunately so pampered by luxuries, so tutored by those around him, that his only source of happiness was the enjoyment of power.

He was eloquent, his appearance prepossessing, his manners amiable, and every external grace that marked the nobleman and the gentleman, were certainly his. He had been early initiated in the paths of office, and was unwilling, probably unable, to give up the habitual enjoyment of the commanding situation he filled; but he had lately coalesced with the Winterton party, who had by intrigues as disgraceful as they were disliked, forced themselves alike upon their sovereign and upon their country; and they sheltered themselves under the wings of Lord Bristol, who had listened to their offers, and had supported his own small party by admitting this band of evil counsellors, instead of turning his eyes to men for whom the voice of the country had been most clamourous.

The approaching session was likely to be formidable; the Winterton party had offered to the Earl of Exeter very advantageous terms, which he most honorably refused.

"It was not for himself he combatted," was his reply, "it was for his country; and without the ministry changed the plans by which poverty and misery were likely to be the nation's curse, instead of the prosperity and happiness, which showered blessings on all, he and his friends must decline accepting any office."

But a small party, usually followers of the Earl of Exeter, offered to join the administration, if they could secure to themselves that which they fancied silenced the scruples of conscience; and Lord Aubrey and his brothers deserted the principles they had for many years boldly and honourably maintained, for a title, and some pecuniary advantages.

It was this desertion that had summoned at Exeter House the supporters of that party, and each individual who was present felt some consolation on finding, that though they had lost some friends, there were sufficient to drive the lion from his den; that even yet hopes were to be entertained, that though the mighty ministerial phalanx might out number, it did not surpass in merit those who were opposed to it.

The absence of Lord Delaware was noticed, but the firm reliance every one placed in the unshaken honour, and the unsullied virtues of that young nobleman, banished all suspicion; and to him was reserved the honour of opening in the House of Lords the ensuing campaign; whilst to Cleveland, the post in the lower House was assigned; and his absence, whilst it was a subject of general regret, allowed each individual an opportunity of expatiating on his merits.

But Burrell, who suspected him, would not allow his name to pass without some sarcastic observations, which called forth the indignation of Lady Harriet, who, though she knew him not personally, admired him as an orator and as the friend of Lord Delaware. Politics were so much among the higher ranks of society the employment of all, that even in the coteries where ladies were considered the ornament, they were freely discussed; indeed, the object of the Marquis of Winterton's friends was to throw a shade of suspicion over every one; and they even denounced as conspirators those who privately assembled to consider the best means of altering the system by which they governed, so that it had become indispensable to admit ladies to a participation of the passing scenes of the day, that the slur of privacy which the meetings of honest and independent men had been constantly taunted with, might be avoided.

Lady Harriet Clifford, from her birth and her talents, had at all times been freely admitted to these parties; she had imbibed principles which might lead the strongest mind to doubt the wisdom of the rulers of the state; and as their deeds were constantly held up to her as odious, she bore an undefined dislike to every one who differed with her; and for those who espoused the cause her soul was ardently excited. The name of Cleveland had been often repeated to her as the champion of all she esteemed, nor could she hear from Sir George Burrell a word that could lessen that favourite in her esteem; warmly did she defend him, and all the woman's eloquence was on her tongue, whilst she enumerated the forcible speeches he had made, the proofs he had given of his

zeal for the cause, till at last Sir George Burrell, taking out his watch, coolly exclaimed,

""Tis now one o'clock, if your eulogium can be finished by four I can stay, but at that time I have promised to go to a warm bath, as I am generally in bed by five; let me not, however, be an interruption; here's Vivian will listen when I am off, and," continued Burrell, "if you must speak forcibly of any one, I had rather you had said something kind of my friend Delaware."

Lady Harriet answered, "Your friend, if he deigns to allow you that title, is indeed worthy the admiration of all who have ever had an opportunity of seeing him, but he has not the warmth of feeling in public affairs I could wish."

No," said Burrell, "thank God he is not quite struck with demoniac phrenzy, he has lucid intervals; but Charles Aubrey's useful versatility has, I am persuaded, sickened him of putting trust in any man; and even in Cleveland he will soon have some good cause to doubt. Why, as I was coming here I met Henry Thornton, who told me that young Aubrey had been in close correspondence with Cleveland for the last week, and I suppose the hero in a week will be a lord or a ribbon-measurer-he has an eye to the Bath, I am sure."

Lady Harriet looked indignantly at Burrell, and immediately said, "Why suspect the man whom my father most honours? and whose claims, even if he is forgetful of the past, must be great."

"Oh," said he, "I cannot discuss the question, it is beyond my weak capacity, and I must be off. Vivian, you know Cleveland; speak well of him, or Lady Harriet will object to your place at the Board of Control."

"Would," said Vivian, "any thing on earth could control your tongue; but, Lady Harriet, submit we must, and in his heart I'll dare be sworn there is much real regard for poor Cleveland, though I believe that favourite of mankind, that fascinating Delaware, who is a second Sir Charles Grandison, has ensnared him for ever."

"But do you think there can be any truth in Sir George Burrell's report that Delaware is about to be married to the Dowager Lady Cleveland, the 'on dit' is in her favour. I have heard her spoken of as handsome; she is still young, and we well know Lord Delaware is very careless of the smiles of the young Misses: he always is most humble in his devoirs to the married and advanced dames," said Lady Harriet.

To which Vivian, a young aspirant for political honours, replied, "Oh no, my acquaintance with his Lordship, though not great, is sufficient to inform me he has an eye for youth and beauty, and never will wed even the mother, for you seem to forget she has a claim to his respect, not love, from her relationship to his friend : but the party breaks up, and I have only to add, my penetration

is not great, but a certain lovely daughter of a noble Lord, not at the head of the administration, has more of the admiration of Delaware than any other fair form," said Vivian, gazing significantly at Lady Harriet, who, looking on her beautiful face in the glass, and then sighing, answered him with "Spare your badinage, you are an old and privileged friend, for we have known each other from our cradles, and I dare tell you that which I have scarcely told myself, that I wish I knew where that beautiful butterfly will at last settle, and on what flower he will at last fix, to imbibe the sweets of life and love; I once should have been the last person to wish it, but he is so uncertain, I never know whether to me he is particular, and if he was so, I have it not in my heart to drive him away; but you lords of the creation are changeable though you accuse us of it-adieu."

The party separated late, and Lady Harriet retired to her room, where she found a billet from Lord Delaware, announcing his return, and requesting the pleasure of accompanying her the following morning in her ride, to which she hastily wrote an answer, to be sent early the next day, regretting she was to leave town for a week, which to her was a great mortification; but she had accepted an invitation to Lady Norfolk's family, with whom she was on intimate terms; and who had just received some intelligence of her absent lord, which had raised her spirits beyond their usual state, so as to enable her to receive visitors, which she had been unable to do for some time.

The Earl of Norfolk bore a high command in the army, and great responsibility was attached to his situation; his wife, who had long been in a nervous state, felt such constant anxiety for his success, that every fresh piece of news elevated or depressed her spirits, according to its tendency; and it was during a moment of joy that her house was opened to the friends who were glad to crowd round her, and who, of course, were under the necessity of immediately accepting the invitation, as they were all aware how soon a melancholy sadness might pervade the scenes where gaiety would for one or two days be found.

This peculiar state of nervous feeling did not alter the kind, the charming disposition of Lady Norfolk, who was beloved, nay adored, by every one who had any claim to her acquaintance, and who eagerly sought all opportunities of visiting her.

Lady Harriet set out for Norfolk Park, very much mortified it had not been her good fortune to have an interview, however short, with the fascinating Lord Delaware; and her regret was increased on her arrival, as she found the lady of the house did not intend returning from a visit to a neighbour till the dinner hour.

She was left, therefore, alone, and sauntered for some time about the grounds, but finding herself fatigued, she went into the library, with a view of spending her leisure hours in the perusal

of some of the lighter publications of the day. On her entrance there, she found a gentleman looking over some maps, and she hastily retreated; but the stranger followed her, and requested he might not prevent her occupation of the library, as he only waited till his carriage was prepared for his departure. He said he had the good fortune of being the bearer of some important news from the Earl of Norfolk, and that as he was obliged to return home, he had declined attending the party who accompanied the Countess on her excursion.

His manner was very prepossessing, his appearance singularly pleasing in the eyes of Lady Harriet, who immediately accepted the invitation to remain in the room. The stranger politely offered to her attention various books; his remarks on them, couched in a very few words, were striking, and delivered with great good sense, and insensibly Lady Harriet found herself on terms of intimacy with an individual whose very name was unknown to her.

She could not avoid gazing on his expressive countenance; his smile was full of animation, and his polished brow seemed to indicate an elevated mind; his eyes were expressive of genius, and his countenance spoke how much his soul partook of every external emotion.

Lady Harriett was enchanted with his mind, his manner, and his person, and she tried to discover who it was for whom she had thus suddenly become interested. Her conversation turned upon men and manners: with both he seemed well acquainted, and, though young, he spoke with the experience of age, and the sense of his own worth.

Of parties in the political world she at last ventured, dreading lest the agreeable stranger might prove an alien to her feelings; but great was her delight to find that they had both studied in the same school-their ideas could not be more in unison.

She heard him lavish the highest encomiums on her father; he held him up as the ornament of society and the best of men; he spoke as if he knew him intimately, and Lady Harriet dexterously contrived to turn the conversation, lest she should in honour be obliged to confess she was the daughter of the man on whose praise he had been so enthusiastically eloquent.

She asked him if Lord Delaware was also a favourite. He replied, "That for so young a man, he was the greatest, the best, he had ever seen. Who that sees the fine form, listens to the mellow tones of his voice, observes the earnestness with which he pursues virtues for her own sake, can avoid liking him—his manners are the most polished of any individual I ever saw-his mild and benignant countenance, over which a ray of evil passion never crossed, seems to invite the adoration of all."

Why, indeed," said Lady Harriet, "you seem an equal