In Helen Montchensey, indeed, he possessed all that parental fondness could have wished for. She was now of that age when female loveliness is most attractive, having just completed her. eighteenth year, and an object, in fact, more interesting to the eye or to the heart, could seldom be contemplated. It was not, however, to mere beauty of form and symmetry of fea-` ture, though she possessed these in a remarkable degree, that she was indebted for that influence over the feelings which even the casual observer felt and acknowledged as a species of fascination. There was in the dewy light of her soft blue eyes, shaded as they were by long and pensile lashes; in the smile just breaking from her opening lips, in the delicate and ever-varying bloom that seemed to live and die upon her cheek; in the oval contour and entire cast of her countenance, partially, and ever gracefully veiled by falling ringlets of light brown hair, an expression of sweetness and simplicity, which, mingled, as it seemed to be, with the tenderest touches of melancholy and resignation, not even the most callous mind could long resist.

If such, from outward appearance and cursory

observation, was the interest excited by Montchensey and his daughter, greatly was it augmented by a more intimate knowledge of their dispositions and modes of thinking; nor could Shakspeare, who possessed what might be termed an almost intuitive perception of character, be many days in the society of his guests without forming a pretty accurate judgment of their merits and defects, both in a mental and a moral light.

The temporary indisposition, indeed, of Montchensey, which confined him to his chamber for the first few days of his residence at New-Place, not only contributed to unveil some features of his character which had otherwise lain long concealed from every eye save that of his daughter, but placed also the filial love and affectionate temper of Helen in the most prominent point of view. Pain and languor, and the intimation which they so forcibly press on the mind of the perishable tenure of our being here, will frequently relax the most guarded caution; and to Shakspeare, who was daily admitted to the bed-side of his newly-acquired friend, it soon became evident, that, notwithstanding every

effort to subdue what was passing within, there was something at the heart of Montchensey which marred its peace, and which would every now and then suddenly and unexpectedly reveal itself by transient starts of horror. It was at these moments, too, that the interest of the scene became doubled, by the expression of love and pity, and apprehension, which agitated the features of the shuddering Helen.

As the health and strength, however, of Montchensey improved, these aberrations became less perceptible; and the whole interest of the situation in which he had been so singularly placed, began to kindle up an enthusiasm, before which the customary depression of his spirits seemed gradually to fade away. Shakspeare, indeed, with a kindness and attention that even in an ordinary character would have availed much, but which, as coming from him, and operating on such a mind as Montchensey's, was fitted to achieve wonders, used every endeavour to lighten the gloom which appeared, at intervals, so darkly to overshadow the prospects of his guest.

It was on the eighth morning of his residence at New-Place, that Montchensey, though still

somewhat lame, and occasionally suffering much pain, ventured, with the permission of his friendly physician, Dr. Hall, to leave his chamber. On reaching the vestibule, he was shown by a servant into the library, with information that his master, who was at present engaged, would be with him in a short time.

This room, which Shakspeare called his own, had, together with an eastern aspect, a pleasant look out into the garden, and was very neatly fitted up in the Gothic style, with carved oaken. presses well stored with books, of which the leaves *, and not the backs, being placed in front, and these decorated with silken strings, and occasionally with gold and silver clasps, in order to confine the sides of the covers, not only contrasted well with the dark hue of the oak, but gave a light and cheerful appearance to the apartment. Over the mantle-piece, which was of the same material as the presses, massy, and richly sculptured into flowers, hung a portrait, in oil colours, of Lord Southampton, by

* For a more minute account of the mode of arranging and decorating books in a library, at this period, see" Shakspeare and his Times," vol.i. p. 436.

Cornelius Jansen; and on the side opposite the fire-place, and immediately over a very old and curious cabinet of walnut-tree wood, were two pictures of Chaucer and Spenser. A beautiful though somewhat ponderous desk, inlaid with ebony and silver, and which had been a present to the poet from his noble and munificent patron, together with a high-backed arm-chair of rather cumbrous workmanship, with a triangular seat and cushion, and a few other chairs of similar form, but smaller dimensions, completed the furniture of the room, the floor of which was strewed with rushes, whilst in the hearth of the ample chimney stood an antique vase of sweet-scented shrubs.

Montchensey, with an eagerness and curiosity proportioned to the admiration which he felt for the owner of this apartment, almost immediately commenced a survey of its literary contents, and was astonished to perceive how rich and ample were its stores, not only in the departments of Poetry and Romance, where he had expected to find a large and curious fund, but in those of History, Biography, and Criticism; and such were the intimations in nearly every