society was considered an honour, and whose mental powers gave him wherever he appeared the first claims. The Earl of Delaware was considered as the object to which every woman of fashion directed her eyes, to obtain notoriety in the fashionable world; to be seen leaning on his arm, to appear favoured by him, was an honour sought for by many, obtained by few.

His conversation was lively, animated and interesting; thoroughly acquainted with the world, he gave pleasure to every one who listened to him. Not a word escaped him but appeared the result of a superior understanding, whilst the respectful homage of attention he offered to others, won upon the heart.

He had evinced an affection for Henry Cleveland, and being somewhat older, had guided him through many a path of difficulty, without appearing to profess any ascendency, but that which friendship dictates: he had indeed proved to him "a guide, philosopher, and friend;" and the marks of his affectionate attachment were not lost upon Cleveland, who repaid them with an equal share of honourable feeling.

Lord Delaware's connection with Cleveland had commenced at Cambridge, where they both were educated; and it was curious to observe, that minds in many respects so dissimilar, should be bound in such strong ties of friendship; but it was founded upon virtue: they both felt and acted according to her dictates.

Cleveland, though mild and affectionate, was the sternest of the two; he loved to dwell upon the deeds he read in the page of history.

The noble actions of his forefathers awoke within him a spirit of patriotism, and an enthusiastic love of a free constitution. He was eloquent and powerful in argument; his figure and appearance challenged the admiration of all who saw him.

Whilst young, he had signalized himself by obtaining the highest academic honors, and his aim was to support the character he had thus early acquired. His friend, on the other hand, preferred the pages of romance and imagination; he was more animated on all occasions, and passion never swayed him; he was a cooler observer of life, and better understood the art of bending to those storms to which Cleveland would boldly expose his person. He had chosen, both from connection and inclination, the opposition ranks in public life, for which station Cleveland was educated; and to this he looked forward as his first object.

When they left the University, they separated for some time. Delaware "sought the primrose path of dalliance." He was an ornament of all the gayest scenes of London, and wherever fashion and beauty were collected, he was to be found. He gradually acquired a taste for the more frivolous amusements; but his head and his heart were alike uncontaminated by the vain sophistry of the wicked, or the alluring incentives of the dissipated; and it was only in the highest society that he was ever to be found.

Cleveland had chosen a more rugged path, but one which, in his eyes, held out the brightest prospects; he was looked up to as a being of superior genius. It is true, that the lively, the giddy, and the gay did not court his society with the same ardour as they sought his friend's; but this was amply repaid by the applause of the good and great; it was for these, and these only he wished to live; he thought that if he were to draw out the span of existence in listless unmeaning indolence, he should alike forfeit the opinion of mankind, and that which he most esteemed, self-respect.

After an honourable discharge of the duties he had imposed on himself, as a representative of the people, he returned to those who had entrusted their lives, their fortunes, and their honour to his keeping, to know if in his public conduct he had gained their esteem.

On this occasion he invited his old friend, Lord Delaware, to leave the "flaunting town," and for a short time visit his paternal estate. It was with joy accepted, and they set off together, anticipating pleasure from the society of each other, as well as the welcome of friendship when they reached the destined spot. Mr. Cleveland's residence bordered the town of which he was one of the representatives, and he passed through Eglinton amid the cheers of a thousand friends who had, with reason, cause to be proud of this excellent young man. Their friendly greetings were repaid by him with affectionate smiles, and a thousand kind enquiries were made by him after the health and welfare of some friend, as often as the opportunity of conversing was allowed him, and his affability, the result of sense and good nature, won upon all.

It was the first time Lady Mary Cleveland had seen the Earl of Delaware. Of his character she was not ignorant; but the reception she gave him, though polite, was not so cordial as her ardent son expected-to him she attributed the difference between them, which had arisen on political opinions; she feared his influence, and though she was aware how valuable a friend he was, she wished to possess the sole guidance of her son.

She regretted, with much apparent sincerity, that Lord Delaware had come at an unfortunate moment, when the loss they had so lately sustained, precluded their reception of the people, who lived in the neighbourhood, and who were their constant visitors.

He replied, the loss was not great to him; as he had now an opportunity of seeing a fresh trait of excellence in the character of his friend-the affection he had for his parent; a happiness, that rarely can occur in the midst of society.

This he spoke with an air of feeling that pleased the fond mother. A young lady entered at this moment; her welcome of Cleve

land appeared affectionate, and lighted up a countenance, which was at first inanimate, with a ray of joy, that seemed to Lord Delaware as the emotion of a heart which throbbed with delight at the sight of a much-loved friend; but in a moment this look had vanished, and he saw a plain, but not an uninteresting, young woman, who appeared to shrink from the gaze of every one.

Her introduction, as Miss Avondale, followed, and she seemed pleased when the name of Delaware was pronounced. A glance of approbation flattered him his name had before reached her ears in a favourable manner. A short conversation on indifferent topics, in which she took but little share, ensued amid the party. They soon separated to prepare for dinner.

As Cleveland passed through the library, he pointed out to his friend the picture of the parent he had lately lost, and passed encomiums on his character, which indeed had been justly merited. He had transmitted to his son a name which descended from a long line of ancestors, not only unsullied, but bearing a brighter fame from the lustre he had shed upon it, by a life of honour, integrity, and justice. "Oh, could I but emulate his excellence, how happy should I be," was Cleveland's observation.

"The path is still open to your inquiring eye, and the steps you have taken seem to promise a favourable progress. You have obtained the regard of your friends, the love of your mother, and methinks, too, the approbation of the young lady who seems not uninterested in your welfare-is she a relation of the family?"

No, a ward of my father's; her fortune large, her mind cultivated; about four years since, on the death of her uncle, she took up her habitation with us."

"She appears melancholy, but that may arise from the loss she has sustained in your excellent father."

'No," replied Cleveland, "her temper is as variable as the moon, (a woman's simile acknowledged), though amiable in the highest degree; she is different from all women I have seen; sometimes lively, at others most sad. But the singularity of her history may in some measure account for her peculiar disposition. Her father had acquired, by his own industry, an enormous fortune: he was respected and beloved by all who knew him; but at an advanced period of life he became acquainted with the widow of an officer, who, by her intrigues, acquired such an ascendency over him that he married her, left her the whole of his large property at his death, without even mentioning his daughter, on whom he had always bestowed every mark of affection, and for whom he seemed to feel the fondest love. So singular a disposal of his property, whilst it cast a slur upon the memory of the father, sunk deep into the heart of his daughter; in vain did her step-mother declare she held the property only as a trustee, and that she would carefully avoid every expense which could

diminish the fortune, which would eventually descend to the proper heir. Her uncle, by the mother's side, indignant at the conduct of her father, gave her an asylum in his house; and won by the gentleness of her conduct, left her all his wealth; since that time she has lived with us. She is a most delightful companion to my mother, and I regard her as a sister.”

"And in no other light, of course," said Lord Delaware, with a smile.

"No," replied Cleveland-" she wants that attraction which I love-a set of features and the tincture of the skin, notwithstanding young Juba's denunciation, I must confess have some charms for me, and I feel too much the effect of beauty ever to bestow my hand without that requisite."

"Well, we must differ," said Delaware, "but I will not detain you longer, we must be adorned for dinner."

At six o'clock the party met, and, unconscious of the interest Lord Delaware took in her, Miss Avondale directed her attention entirely to Lady Mary Cleveland, apparently regardless of every other person; but this young nobleman, struck with her manner, her singular, but by no means pretty, countenance, could scarcely withdraw his observation from her.

Much as he had known the world, flattered as he had been by beauty, he was seldom particularly attentive to any individual; though to all he gave that winning, that peculiar manner, which speaks an interest in their welfare; and he could not avoid the notice of his friend, who seemed pleased with the impression Miss Avondale had made; and it gave her an additional lustre in his eye, for he knew how well and how rightly the judgment of his friend was founded.

He began a common-place conversation on the Opera, the Theatre, the thousand follies and pleasures of the town, to which she replied with as much tact and knowledge of the world, as if her whole life had passed in the bustle of society; but there appeared a want of animation, and every observation was drawn from her with difficulty; but when she did launch into any thing like ́conversation, her replies seemed to carry novelty with them, and Lord Delaware, on retiring to his room, acknowledged to himself that he had been unusually delighted with a person who seemed to have no particular claim to his admiration.

Lord Delaware was so much accustomed to the flattery of the world, that he expected every woman would love him at first sight. Wherever he was seen in the gay world, he was surrounded by young women, naturally anxious to secure the attentions of a person who was known to possess great influence over the young men with whom he associated; for the life, the grace, and the ease of his manners generally secured to him not only

the smiles of the fair sex, but the confidence of the gay and fashionable young men of rank.

It was known that many a union had been effected by a few words from him, and that his voice had much influence; this made him universally courted, and this perhaps spoilt him for general intercourse. When he found Miss Avondale regardless, nay, altogether careless of his attention, he felt something like pique.

That a young and pleasing person should devote herself entirely to the care of a lady, much older than herself-one who was no relation, and of whom she was completely independent, whilst a gay and fashionable man courted her attention, was to him a complete riddle; still he found that all his civilities, pointed as they were, called forth only a common place expression of thanks; yet during the time Lord Delaware was an inmate of the mansion, she invariably pursued this plan.

Most people would have considered her a bore, he thought; but there certainly was something in her countenance, or her manner, he could scarcely tell which, that drew attention towards her; I am persuaded, thought he, her mind is far superior to the daily herd that throng about the empire of fashion, but I suppose I do not possess the key that can unlock these treasures that will hereafter be the happy lot, perchance, of some country bumpkin, whom her friends will persuade her to marry, if Cleveland does not take pity on her.

One morning on entering the breakfast room, he found a warm and serious altercation had arisen on some political subject between the mother and son, and to his great surprize Miss Avondale was in the highest spirits; she alternately ridiculed both parties, and in a few moments her arch mockery excited so much laughter, as completely to set at rest the question which had been at issue.

During the whole of the day her flow of vivacity and spirits was something quite extraordinary; Lord Delaware was lost in amazement at the follies she committed: she acted the romp, or the spoiled child to perfection, and no doubt its influence was wonderful on Lady Mary; who, throughout the early part of the debate with her son, had been peremptory, haughty, and overbearing.

From whatever cause it had originated, certain it was, that Miss Avondale had by her conduct diverted all attention from the point, and had led to other topics, probably of less interest, but certainly they did not excite the same warmth.

When Cleveland was left with his friend, he exclaimed, "Excellent woman! she saw a storm coming on the brow of my dear mother, and has kindly averted it; she alone has the art of stilling the raging winds, and causing the storm to abate."