more natural inference, begging your ladyship's pardon for presuming to differ in opinion.” Lady Penelope seemed determined not to take this view of the case. "No, no-no, I tell you," she replied; "she cannot be married, for if she were married, how could the poor wretch say that she was ruined?—You know there is a difference betwixt ruin and marriage." "Some people are said to have found them synonymous, Lady Penelope," answered the Earl. "You are smart on me, my lord; but still, in common parlance, when we say a woman is ruined, we mean quite the contrary of her being married-it is impossible for me to be more explicit upon such a topic, my lord.” "I defer to your ladyship's better judgment," said Lord Etherington. "I only entreat you to observe a little caution on this business-I will make the strictest inquiries of this woman, and acquaint you with the result; and I hope, out of regard to the respectable family of St. Ronan's, your ladyship will be in no hurry to intimate any thing to Miss Mowbray's prejudice." "I certainly am no person to spread scandal, my lord," answered the lady, drawing herself up; "at the same time, I must say, the Mowbrays have little claim on me for forbearance. I am sure I was the first person to bring this Spaw into fashion, which has been a matter of such consequence to their estate; and yet Mr. Mowbray set himself against me, my lord, in every possible sort of way, and encouraged the under-bred people about him to behave very strangely.-There was the business of building the Belvidere, which he would not permit to be done out of the stock-purse of the company, because I had given the workmen the plan and the orders-and then, about the tea-room-and the hour for beginning dancing and about the subscription for Mr. Rymour's new Tale of Chivalry-in short, I owe no consideration to Mr. Mowbray of St. Ronan's." "But the poor young lady," said Lord Etherington. "O! the poor young lady?—the poor young lady can be as saucy as a rich young lady, I promise you. There was a business in which she used me scandalously, Lord Etherington-it was about a very trifling matter-a shawl. Nobody minds dress less than I do, my lord; I thank Heaven my thoughts turn upon very different topics-but it is in trifles that disrespect and unkindness are shown; and I have had a full share of both from Miss Clara, besides a good deal of impertinence from her brother upon the same subject." "There is but one way remains," thought the Earl, as they approached the Spaw, "and that is to work on the fears of this d-d vindictive blue-stocking'd wild-cat.Your ladyship," he said aloud, "is aware what severe damages have been awarded in late cases where something approaching to scandal has been traced to ladies of consideration-the privileges of the tea-table have been found insufficient to protect some fair critics against the consequences of too frank and liberal animadversion upon the characters of their friends. So pray, remember, that as yet we know very little on this subject." Lady Penelope loved money, and feared the law; and this hint, fortified by her acquaintance with Mowbray's love of his sister, and his irritable and revengeful disposition, brought her in a moment much nearer the temper in which Lord Etherington wished to leave her. She protested, that no one could be more tender than she of the fame of the unfortunate, even supposing their guilt was fully proved-promised caution on the subject of the pauper's declaration, and hoped Lord Etherington would join her tea-party early in the evening, as she wished to make him acquainted with one or two of her protégés, whom, she was sure, his lordship would find deserving of his advice and countenance. Being by this time at the door of her own apartment, her ladyship took leave of the Earl with a most gracious smile. 鹽 CHAPTER XXXIII. DISAPPOINTMENT. On the lee-beam lies the land, boys, Though the weather should be worse. THE STORM. "Ir darkens round me like a tempest," thought Lord Etherington, as, with slow step, folded arms, and his white hat slouched over his brows, he traversed the short interval of space betwixt his own apartments and those of the Lady Penelope. In a buck of the old school, one of Congreve's men of wit and pleasure about town, this would have been a departure from character; but the present fine man does not derogate from his quality, even by exhibiting all the moody and gentlemanlike solemnity of Master Stephen. So, Lord Etherington was at liberty to carry on his reflections, without attracting observation." I have put a stopper into the mouth of that old vinegar-cruet of quality, but the acidity of her temper will soon dissolve the charm-And what to do?" As he looked round him, he saw his trusty valet Solmes, who, touching his hat with due respect, said, as he passed him, "Your Lordship's letters are in your private despatch-box." Simple as these words were, and indifferent the tone in which they were spoken, their import made Lord Etherington's heart bound as if his fate had depended on the accents. He intimated no farther interest in the communication, however, than to desire Solmes to be below, in case he should ring; and with these words entered his apartment, and barred and bolted the door, even before he looked on the table where his despatch-box was placed. Lord Etherington had, as is usual, one key to the box which held his letters, his confidential servant being intrusted with the other; so that, under the protection of a patent lock, his despatches escaped all risk of being tampered with,-a precaution not altogether unnecessary on the part of those who frequent hotels and lodginghouses. 66 By your leave, Mr. Bramah," said the Earl, as he applied the key, jesting, as it were, with his own agitation, as he would have done with that of a third party. The lid was raised, and displayed the packet, the appearance and superscription of which had attracted his observation but a short while since in the post-office. Then he would have given much to be possessed of the opportunity which was now in his power; but many pause on the brink of a crime, who have contemplated it at a distance without scruple. Lord Etherington's first impulse has led him to poke the fire; and he held in his hand the letter which he was more than half tempted to commit, without even breaking the seal, to the fiery element. But, though sufficiently familiarized with guilt, he was not as yet acquainted with it in its basest shapes -he had not yet acted with meanness, or at least with what the world terms such. He had been a duellist, the |