to obtain an answering assurance of forgiveness, he tried in vain to catch her returning eye."

"Forgive me, my dear Miss Massenburg, if I have taken one half step beyond the pale you tacitly prescribe; you damp the pleasure of the scene, by that clouded brow."

"Ah, these are some of the folded rose leaves of life,” replied Eliza, raising her eye, with a look that perfectly reassured the Major; and he seated himself by her side, and for a time forgot all else that the world contained.

of

Eliza had now become a person great importance in the eyes of the company; and if the multitude of compliments which she received, served to oppress her, they exhilarated the spirits of Mrs. Davenant in a high degree. Eliza was distinguished as the object of the marked attentions, both of Mr. Graham and Major Douglas; the one had addressed to her a copy of verses, and this

in the estimation of the younger ladies was an offering of no small value: She had likewise herself produced a few stanzas, which, in the estimation of such profound judges, were admirable; for the Major had thought them worthy of the notes he had composed for their accompaniment. And then again, Major Douglas's wish, breathed in lines more tender than complimentary, gave his sentiments

publicity, or rather a confirmation, for they were before public, that raised Eliza high in consequence. In her was anticipated the future lady of the mansion, and it was a matter of policy to secure her favourable opinion. Nor was Mr. Davenant without his share of enjoyment; the overflowing satisfaction of his heart strove for a correspondent expression of countenance, which he struggled to repress, and made a vain endeavour to preserve the careless ease of his general

manner.

CHAPTER XXI.

Thy modest beauties well I prize
Retiring from the view,

Pure as the light of beauty's eyes
And of their azure hue.

LORD F. LEVESON GOWER.

MANY were the arguments used by Mr. De Lisle, to dissuade Major Doug las from his too favourable opinion of Eliza, and turn the current of his warm feelings into some other channel: but in vain. The Major imagined he saw such a cloud of prejudice floating across his cousin's mind, as to render him an incompetent judge; and for a long time he would return none other than vivacious

answers.

"It is indeed unhappy, that Miss

Massenburg's eyebrows do not form the exact half of a circle; Ah, poor Eliza ! why was nature so perverse, as to mar thy every other charm in De Lisle's judgment! And I, blind that I am, am doomed to do homage to an imperfect deity."

this."

Douglas, what idle declamation is

Then, why, De Lisle, can you possibly be so absurd? What of error have you detected in her conduct? What of fault in her heart?"

"I wish to draw your attention to her family connections: you know little about them. Think how pleasant it would be, for a man of your birth, to bẹ followed by half a hundred low born cousins. Think what would be your own, what would be Sir Archibald's, feelings?

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Mr. De Lisle had touched a chord, for here Major Douglas was vulnerable;

it vibrated for a moment; but Eliza's cause was not lost. He answered

"This is all imaginary; besides I have never said that I purpose blindly to form a doubtful connection. Mr. Davenant is most respectable; and why are we to suppose any other of Miss Massenburg's connections less so?"

"Oh, true; and then there will be the old lady with her Good gracious me, nephew Douglas, only think!''

Major Douglas coloured highly; and Mr. De Lisle pursued his advantage.

"Think, dear Douglas, how you could endure the many mortifications you must doubtless draw upon yourself. Is Mr. Davenant, with his assumption of starched independence, or low bred ́ease; or madam, illiterate as she is, fit relatives for you?'

"Stay, De Lisle," interrupted the Major, warmly," nor in the warmth of your opposition forget justice! Mr. and