seldom gave much indication of pleasure; and it was only on one or two occasions, that Lord Delaware had observed any very strong intelligence beam on her countenance. The remembrance of the evening she came to him, at a moment of such importance to Cleveland, constantly haunted his mind; there was then, but it might have been from the peculiar turn of her thoughts on that occasion, something so seraphic in her figure, something so unlike a terrestrial being, that it had more the appearance of enchantment than reality, particularly when he looked again on that same form and figure, and all there was without passion or superiority.

As Miss Avondale was known to have a handsome fortune at her own disposal, independent of her great expectations from her mother-in-law, all those who had for their object possession of fortune, crowded round her, whilst her pleasing manner made many friends.

Among the list of those who were termed her admirers, both Walsingham and Vivian appeared, and even Sir George Burrell was numbered in her train; his character of indolence seemed forgotten when he was in her presence, and he seemed, for some good reason, to wish to be in the good graces of the young lady, who realised the couplet of Pope:

"Favours to none, to all she smiles extends;
"Oft she rejects, but never once offends."

Time flew swiftly by, and Delaware in vain tried to discover what were Miss Avondale's sentiments; to none did she appear more attached than to Cleveland: still she evidently saw how much he was pleased with Lady Harriet, nor did it seem in any way to affect her. She formed a friendship for that most excellent young woman, and appeared to have inspired her with an equal sentiment; Lady Harriet entirely gave up her intimate acquaintance with Lord Delaware; he was no longer the being whom she consulted; she had found one whom she considered his superior, and who she believed repaid her feelings in his favour.

Exeter House continued the scene of gaiety, the choicest society was assembled within its walls, and every one seemed to follow the dictates of his own inclination; whilst the doors were thrown open to all, who, from talent, or any circumstances of peculiarity, were worthy of admission; they were never held up as beings invited to be gazed upon, and kept at a chilling distance from the social intercourse. To be invited during the spring to frequent, when most agreeable, such society was a privilege anxiously sought, and when refused, it was generally considered as an exclusion from the circle, which was formed amid the different familes, who, from union of sentiment, were the chief ornaments and supporters of fashion and of high life.

There was a report in general circulation, that some misfortune

had occurred to a division of the British army employed in foreign service; certain it was, that various councils had been held, that dispatches had been received with which the public had not been made acquainted, and great anxiety evidently pervaded every responsible person in the government. Naturally anxious that from actual experience, the whole country should see the imbecility of the ministers, the opposition boldly demanded some inquiry into the reports which were in common circulation.

The Winterton party feeling the hollowness of the ground on which they stood, refused answering any question, but seemed to be busy about some private intrigue; for such was the folly of the party, that instead of gaining from the public support by the measures they pursued, their only aim appeared to be to strengthen their own hands, and bid defiance to the people. Overtures were again made to the leaders of the Exeter party, who refused to listen to them, without the broad basis of the maintenance of the rights of the nation was the first topic discussed.

Charles Aubrey had returned to Town, but evaded giving any satisfactory account of his conduct to Sir George Burrell, who demanded, in the name of Cleveland, by what right he had so shamefully prostituted his name and character. To this Aubrey replied, he had certainly from Lady Mary Cleveland, every reason to suppose her son was willing to support the system he pursued; that the finesse he had practised upon Cleveland, by telling him no important affairs were to be discussed on the memorable evening, had been sanctioned by Lady Mary; nay, that it had been proposed by her in the presence of Miss Avondale, the day previous to her coming to town, under the care of Cleveland. Of course Sir George Burrell avoided all further explanation, he had the delicacy to see and be silent. It was evident that Cleveland's conduct had been consistent and honourable, that his mother would have foolishly sacrificed him, and that Aubrey had the art of sheltering himself from the vengeance he had so justly called upon his head. He explained as well as he was able to the friends of the party, the nature of their young friend's situation, and all were satisfied that his integrity was as unsullied as his conduct had been noble.

When Sir George related his interview to Lord Delaware, in the presence of Miss Avondale, his Lordship observed, that all his friend had escaped, was owing to the interference of one who took the warmest interest in his welfare, he meant Miss Avondale.

Indeed, I owe every thing to Cleveland; gratitude in words," said Miss Avondale, "is the smallest share that can ever be given; if my life were devoted for him, I should not repay what I owe him.

I am sure he does not consider you indebted to him," said Delaware, "for he conceives that you have been his preserver."

"He was mine," said Miss Avondale; "I was ignorant, he pointed out the road to knowledge; I was unhappy, he made me happy; what more can man do!"

"Your feelings seem very strong towards him," said Lord Delaware.

"No being will ever hold the same place in my mind."

"Nor your heart?" said Lord Delaware. A sudden smile irradiated her countenance, and she exclaimed, "He has found a kindred heart;" and then with a tone of subdued and melancholy feeling, she added, "He wanted not mine."

"He has left," said Delaware, "that treasure for the happiness of another."

It is a treasure that few who really seek for any thing but gold, will scarcely venture to wish for," said she, smiling. "To be sure I have suitors; there's Mr. Vivian to whom my money would be delightful; he would purchase all the moth eaten books, the dirty prints and the black looking ballads, that antiquarians know alone how to value, and he would leave me to spell out the illegible characters on a piece of vellum; and Mr. Walsingham also, who would purchase crazy china, or fit up his house with china mandarins, and without I could look like a figure on a tea chest, he would not care whether the wife who had enabled him to indulge such strange appetites, were converted into a pillar of salt, or made a well preserved Egyptian mummy."

'And," said Lord Delaware, "should you not conceive a wife's first duty to be obedience? If your husband preferred a mummy, a coin, or a crocodile, should not all your views be one and the same? Your wealth would purchase happiness, you would be enabled to gratify your husband, what more would you have?"

Miss Avondale replied, "You lords of creation ought rather to be denominated tyrants; all is to be managed to gratify your whims and tastes, whilst we are left to velvets, velveteens, bombazets, and bombazines; a ribbon or a piece of glass is supposed to be the only object of our taste, and you encourage us in it, that you may secure to yourselves Creation's ample range."

At this moment Vivian joined the party, exclaiming, "at last the news is divulged; the army has suffered a considerable check; the division under the Earl of Norfolk has been obliged to make a very disastrous retreat; the whole town is in an uproar, and if the good people cannot shew some strong reason for this misfortune, their places are not so secure as they were. Bristol must be impeached, the Wintertons will yield, the Aubreys lose the blessings that they had fondly promised themselves, Lord Exeter will be prime minister, and Lord Delaware-"

"He will be certainly in a very charming situation, having already given a promise to Mr. Vivian of the best place in his gift for the news he has brought," answered Delaware with a laugh; "and," continued he, " you really quite annihilate Miss Avondale

with politics; really this world begins to wax very insane, when from morn to night the burthen of the song is politics, still politics."

"Oh! do not at all disturb your fancy with fears on my account; I love to hear the war of words; if anything is curious, if any thing is odd, it is to find you marvellous Adams still harping on the same subject, and what do you do? positively nothing; if after all I have heard within the last few months, you do not succeed, you will be my laughing stocks for ever," said Miss Avondale.

"To that," said Delaware, "I fear we must at any rate submit; you have a share of the satirical spirit in you, and a woman who has that with the aid of nature's blessing, that unruly member, the tongue, may bid defiance to all human laws."

"You make all your human laws yourselves," said Miss Avondale. "Do you imagine if we were allowed our representatives in the Commons' House of Parliament, things would be in their present state? No, indeed! you make laws in which we have no voice; you break all the ties, and then lift up your methodistical eyes if we find the slightest fault, or in any way take the liberty of differing with you; and the way in which we are repaid for bowing our necks to the yoke, is flattery one moment and downright tyranny the next."

Why, hey-day! did my friend Cleveland, who found you ignorant and shewed you the path of science, who found you unhappy and made you happy, teach you this rebellion? Are you going to introduce a glorious revolution and alter Magna Charta? I shall be obliged to read the Riot Act, and disperse your meeting by the civil power," exclaimed Lord Delaware, who was very much amused at the observations of the lively antagonist he had met with, and who maintained for some time with him, that the rights of woman were betrayed. All she said was with an air of mock dignity and gravity, that did not fail to leave its impression; and it was with regret the news Vivian had brought obliged him to leave the society in which he had been much entertained; but he was under the necessity of attending the House of Lords that evening, and he promised himself much pleasure in hearing in what way the worthy Governors, as he styled them, would palliate the unfortunate occurrence which had been so long foretold by the different members of the opposite party, and which had so long passed disregarded.

The whole town was indeed agitated: discontent was on the face of all; and it had become evident, that without the aid of some important person the feeble government must yield. Every effort was directed to secure if possible the aid of Cleveland. His name was itself a tower of strength; and Lord Bristol having found the failure of Aubrey's scheme, was determined to try every effort to gain an ally of such importance.

A thousand circumstances had tended to bring Lady Mary Cleveland to town earlier than she had at first proposed, and as her establishment in Dover Street was now fully prepared, she took up her abode there, and of course Miss Avondale was under the necessity of leaving Exeter House, a subject to her of no small regret.

Lady Mary was immediately surrounded by a number of friends, from whom the death of the late Mr. Cleveland had for some time separated her. Her acquaintances, as might be imagined, were in principle diametrically opposite to those with whom her son most associated, and she felt very anxious to gather those around her who she supposed would exert some influence over him.

The Aubreys were constant visitors. Lord Bristol, who courted her society with the greatest assiduity, was seldom absent; and he generally brought with him his niece, Miss Mortimer, on whom Lady Cleveland had cast her eyes as a proper and most desirable match for her son.

To him there could be no greater mortification than to be thus constantly thrown in the way of people from whom he differed; and though he knew his friends placed the firmest reliance on him, still it could not but excite a feeling of jealousy, when they saw the mother, who on every occasion possessed the most absolute empire over the best of sons, attempting in every way to overcome the bias he had always shewn.

Lord Bristol possessed all the art of the statesman, with the polished demeanour of the gentleman. His aim was insensibly to gain a dominion over Cleveland by avoiding all public topics, by shewing him peculiar regard, and by professing the warmest respect and devotion to his mother, which, whilst it shielded his views, gained upon the heart of the affectionate son.

And every day Cleveland found himself more completely hampered by the new acquaintances he was obliged to form. It was impossible for him to meet daily in familiar intercourse those whom he was obliged, by his public duty, to hold up to the scorn and contempt of the world. His occupations too, to perform the honours of the house to the guests of his mother, kept him aloof from his own more immediate friends.

He seldom went to Exeter House; and when he met Lady Harriet his heart was not so much at ease as formerly. She perceived, or fancied she perceived, an alteration in his conduct towards her, and gradually when they were thrown into each other's society, the ardour which had always marked their intercourse was exchanged for a coldness of demeanour, which was observed by Lord Delaware with the deepest regret.

He too seldom saw his friend. He had not visited Lady Mary more than once since her arrival in town; and the chilling reception warned him to give way to others, who better understood and practised the art of pleasing. Occasionally he saw, at Exeter