sudden admiration for her rich gift of beauty, he was not slow in discovering qualities, both of heart and mind, which kept up the interest excited by her loveliness; and the opportunities of improving his acquaintance with her being frequent, can it be wondered at that he availed himself of them to the utmost? Nor was he one likely to fail in exciting reciprocal feelings in the breast of any woman whose love he sought to win. Though not eminently handsome, he had in his person an air of great distinction, and there was in his manner a sort of indolent insouciance that was not without its charm.

There were strong lines in his character, and also some curious contrasting qualities; for though usually self-reliant, he was the very slave of his prejudices; and though remarkable for kindness of heart, and even tenderness of feeling, he was too ready to suspect those he loved, rarely forgiving any act of theirs of which he had been led to believe them capable; and of which in his heart he disapproved.

VOL. I.

F

He was not a great talker (few agreeable people are), but he had the power of throwing a meaning into words, and even into looks, which few possessed, and there was a pleasant spell in the very tones of his voice, which it was difficult to resist. Beyond and above all this, it must be added that he was true; for no feigned passion could have carried with it the force and power which made Philip Thornleigh's entire devotion so irresistible; and often as he had loved, the last madness seemed, and even was, as violent as the one that had preceded it.

There is no occasion, nor would there be any advantage in dwelling at length on this portion of poor Helen's story; sufficient is it to say, that the catastrophe came about after this wise. A large mansion, standing in the midst of a fair estate, had been for some two or three years unoccupied, though it was advantageously and pleasantly situated within a distance of two miles from Warminster and its exquisitely beautiful cathedral. About

the period of Edward's departure, a small but agreeable family, consisting of a gentleman and his wife and one little boy, came to sojourn at The Hazles.' Rich, lively, and given to hospitality, the new comers were received with open arms, and were soon universally allowed to be 'great acquisitions.' The little boy was the only one of the party who did not share in the general popularity; for he was a sickly child, occasionally interfering by his ailments with the social festivities, and being consequently looked upon as an intruder into the circles whose mirth he marred by his little admired disorders.' was the feeble condition of her only child that led to Mrs. Dormer's acquaintance with Dr. Langton, and subsequently to a still greater amount of intimacy with his daughter; for Helen was a kind and gentle nurse, fond of children, and ingenious in amusing them; and Mrs. Dormer, pleased with her bright beauty, and grateful for the attention bestowed on her child, forgot for a moment

It

the prejudices of caste, and made an almost friend of the Doctor's daughter. Of this somewhat incongruous intimacy the fruits reaped by Helen and her family consisted of occasional gifts of game and grapes; and sometimes a drive with Mrs. Dormer in her hermetically-sealed chariot, with the fractious beir seated upon the girl's lap, tangling the braids of her glossy hair, and imprinting indelible creases on her silk dress.

It was early autumn now, and Helen was busy in some household work for the mother (whose failing intellect rendered her scarcely conscious by whom such offices were performed), when a knock at the door proclaimed a visitor, and Mrs. Dormer was announced. She had come, she said, to carry Helen off on a round of visits, among which was one that had been long owing on her part to Mrs. Talmash, of Dell Grange. Gladly would Helen have refused the offered civility, for she was proud, and was moreover not one of the many exceptions to the rule that no

creature smarts so little as a fool;' nevertheless she agreed to the proposal, and evil indeed were the consequences that arose from that ill-omened visit. They shall be described in Helen's own words, when, many a year after these events took place, she told her touching story to her childhood's friend.

6

We were received,' she said, by Mrs. Talmash and her daughter; they were very gracious to my companion, but they looked at me-no, I cannot tell you how they looked. but I felt that I grew very red and frightened and cordially wished myself at home again. Still I made an effort at composure, saying with a voice which I tried to render steady, "It is some time since we met, Miss Talmash, but I think you can hardly have quite forgotten Helen Langton." She made no reply, but after glancing at me contemptuously, turned away, while I, shocked and ashamed (for I was anything but brave in those days), would gladly have hid myself in the remotest corner of the earth. Well, the visit, during