of heaven...can you, I say, encourage such a design?"

"Sir," cried lord Gwytherin, endeavouring to wrest his arm from Greville, "did you not think your profession would protect you, you would never have dared to provoke my anger by the language you have just used."

"I fear not your anger, my lord," said Greville, with a smile of scorn. "Had I entertained such a dread, I should not have spoken as I have now done, convinced as I am, that to my profession you pay not the least regard, except it is from external appearances. The man who can violate the laws of virtue and hospitality, who can pretend goodwill and friendship to an innocent family, at the very moment he is aiming a destructive blow at their peace and reputation...the man who can offer violence, and use deceit towards a woman....he, I say, and you are he, who has committed all these enormities, can respect no profession, however sacred...no age, however reverend! What mockery in such a one to say he respects the ministers of God, at the very moment he is breaking the commands of that God! and what folly in any one to credit such an assertion! What still greater weakness in any one to hesitate telling such a man his real opinion of him! He who could be intimidated from doing so, from holding up the mirror to him which would reflect all his deformity, however great his prowess, or elevated his rank, would deserve to suffer by his vices. Of your's, my lord, I have freely spoken; and if that freedom has inspired you with resentment instead of compunction, 'tis not, I am convinced, any internal or external respect for my profession which prevents your giving way to it, but the still small voice of

conscience, which telis you, what I have said, is just!"

"Follow me, Mr. Oswald!" said lord Gwytherin again, trembling with passion, and attempting to go on.

"Good heaven, my lord! are you still so obstinate?" cried Greville, again interposing. "Must I repeat, that you owe this young man obligations of the greatest magnitude? He has saved you from the perpetration of a crime, which, but to think on, fills me with horror; and instead of seeking his life, you should almost kneel with grateful thankfulness before him."

"Not for obligations of which I am not aware," said lord Gwytherin, indignantly.

"My lord," cried Greville, "I conjure, I intreat you to lend me your attention a few minutes longer. And remember, Mr. Oswald," turning to him as he spoke, "if I can persuade lord Gwytherin to give up his hostile intentions, I shall expect you to do the same." He then walked to some distance, sufficient to prevent any thing he said from being overheard; and his lordship, impelled by a secret impulse, followed him, though with apparent reluctance.

Their conference was short; but when they returned, it was visible that both were extremely agitated by it.

"Mr. Oswald," said his lordship, in accents scarcely articulate, while every feature was expressive of horror mingled with astonishment, "I submit to the guidance of Mr. Greville."

"And he must follow your example," exclaimed Greville.

N

"What, sir! do you then wish to let the man who meditated so great an injury against you, escape punishment?" said Egbert, with asperity. "He does not escape punishment," replied Mr. Greville, in a solemn voice.

"Escape it!" repeated lord Gwytherin, raising his eyes to heaven, and striking his breast.

"The hand of man cannot punish like the reproaches of conscience," continued Mr. Greville.

Woodville now interfered; and Egbert at length yielded to the united arguments and influence of his friends. But nothing like a reconciliation took place between him and lord Gwytherin; as his soul utterly abhorred and recoiled from the idea of ever more holding intercourse with a person, who had so nearly effected the destruction of all his happiness.

"Remember," cried lord Gwytherin to Mr. Greville, as he turned to depart, "I shall expect you in the course of the day, according to your promise; as you have raised a storm in my breast, so, perhaps, you may be able to allay it."

CHAP. XI.

"He fondly sued, and warmly press'd,
"To win her to his mind."

THE moment lord Gwytherin retired, Egbert flew to the place where he had left Jacintha, and found her lying senseless upon the ground within a few paces of it. The terror she had suffered on her own, and now felt on his account, so completely overcame her, that in attempting to follow him, she had fainted away.

His efforts, together with those of her father and Woodville, who had followed him, but still more the sound of his voice, and the assurance of his safety, by degrees revived her; and as soon as she could move, she was conducted home.

Mrs. Greville was already in the parlour, and also Gertrude, whom she had roused up. Mr. Greville, judging of her anxiety by his own, and perceiving she looked extremely agitated, hastened to her, and taking her hand, begged her, in the tenderest manner, to compose herself, as Jacintha had happily been rescued from all the dangers which environed her.

"'Tis more than she deserved, then," said Mrs. Greville, unable to controul the malignant passion into which she was thrown, by the mortification she experienced at finding, contrary to all her

hopes and expectations, the stratagem of lord Gwytherin had not succeeded; "such imprudence as she has been guilty of, merited a severe punishment."

"It has not gone unpunished, my dear," replied Mr. Greville, who imputed the warmth of his wife to the displeasure she felt at Jacintha's conduct. "You yourself must allow it has not, when upon the terror she has undergone.” "I only reflect," cried Mrs. Greville, " that she has before been indiscreet."

you reflect

"How, madam!" said Egbert, darting a fierce and indignant glance upon her. "Is it in having permitted herself before to be deceived? But consider, madam, that Innocence is the sister of Credulity; and that lord Gwytherin is not the only plotter in the world....the only person capable of using an honourable and virtuous name, for the blackest purposes."

Neither those words, nor the look which accompanied them, could be misunderstood. Both Mrs. Greville and Gertrude at once perceived that Egbert alluded to the letter they had fabricated. Shame, apprehension, or conscience; or, perhaps, all united, instantly died their cheeks with blushes; and Mrs. Greville, fearful of exasperating Egbert any further, lest he should be more explicit, directly assumed a milder aspect, and apologized in some manner for her expressions, by declaring she scarcely knew what she said, she was so bewildered by the shock she had received about Jacintha.

She then, in a tender accent, advised her to go to her chamber, and try to take some repose.... advice which Jacintha did not hesitate to comply with. Woodville, almost at the same moment,