labour, Mrs. Vernon will give you milk until it shall please God to restore him.'

The woman did not speak, but she clasped her hands, and, with uplifted eyes, mentally prayed that He, in whose name a cup of cold water given shall not lose it's reward, might bless and protect such humane benefactors and gratefully courtesying, she returned home.

A tall gentleman, dressed in black, now appeared at the open door which Mr. Vernon had not yet quitted. The stranger bowed: I had the pleasure to call this morning," he said, and was informed my friend, Mr. Henry Vernon, could not then see me, he being alseep; I left my name, and now hope to be more fortunate.'

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'Mr. Delacour, I believe,' returned Mr. Vernon a gentleman, of whom I have heard my son speak with particular esteem and affection: pray, Sir, walk in, I will announce your arrival to him.' He pre

sented Charles to Mrs. Vernon, Maria, and Harriet, and quitted the room.

• You will find our son sadly changed, Mr. Delacour,' said Mrs. Vernon; he has visibly declined for some months past, and I fear the complaint to be a confirmed consumption.'

Mr. Vernon now re-appeared, and say ing, Henry is overjoyed at the idea of seeing you,' led the way to the chamber of the invalid.

Supported by pillows, in a large chair, sat he whom, two years before, Delacour had seen rich in health, youth, and hope; the caressed of the circle in which he then moved. Henry after that period had gone to England, for the purpose of attending terms at the Temple, and they had not since met. Now, a hepatic decline had given a bilious hue to his countenance, which was so emaciated as to distinctly exhibit the smallest vein; the eyes appeared

hollow and sharp, and mortality was depicted on every feature. Charles internally shuddered at the melancholy alteration.

• This is, indeed, most kind,' said the invalid, you arrived but yesterday, and you were here this morning. Tell me, dear Charles, where have you been, and how passed your time since we parted?'

'I some months since lost my father,' replied Charles, and having attended divinity lectures and obtained ordination, I have engaged to instruct the two sons of your neighbour, Mr. Courtney, little anticipating the pleasure reserved for me in the proximity of Glendalough Abbey to the parsonage'where you shall ever be welcome, most welcome,' said Henry, warmly pressing the hand of his friend. Then in a gay tone he added, I hope soon to be quite well, and able to shew you the innumerable beauties of the surrounding country; it is a scene to realise the vision of the most fanciful son of

song: you may "sit on rocks, and muse o'er flood and fell," and there is scarcely a stone or a thorn-bush but has it's attendant tradition: St. Kevin has been here, a very prominent character, but his heart was flinty as his couch, else could he not have resisted the charms and constancy of the fair Kathleen; who, if legend say true, "had loved him well and long," and whose "eyes of most unholy blue," and intrusion on his sacred slumbers induced him to "hurl her from the beetling rock," into the lake beneath, I must point out to you the scene of this exploit, for which I am, and ever shall be, his implacable enemy.'

Charles with difficulty suppressed a sigh, as he witnessed the gaiety with which schemes of amusement were projected by one whose future was not to be in this world; and he felt inclined to disapprove the mistaken kindness of friends, who concealed from him the imminent peril of his

situation. But those reflections were dispelled by observing the keen and inquiring glance with which the invalid regarded him.

It would require courage in strangers to speak to him of death;' mentally said Delacour, and, oh! how much more difficult would it be for those dear and near connexions, who can scarcely whisper to themselves, that they must lose him.'

'I had hoped to be now called to the bar,' said 'Henry, but this illness has sadly frustrated my plans. I passed the last summer at Mallow, by the advice of physicians, without deriving from it much benefit: your part of the world, Charles, the south of Ireland, is very beautiful, and the manners of its inhabitants are conciliating and hospitable; I felt much regret when leaving them, as we have not here any neighbours particularly estimable; but on that subject you shall judge for yourself, and I

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