ed, nevertheless, on gaining admit- who but eight hours before had left tance, he banged away at the door for his home, smiling and sunny, in all full ten minutes; but finding this of the consciousness of a captivating cosno avail, he bawled out the landlord's tume! He had met the cart as he was name, and then let fly a handful of crawling, snail-like, along the main small stones and gravel against his road, after leaving Caversham bridge, bedroom windows. This had the de- and had bargained with the driversired effect, for presently the lattice who was on his way to Reading, to was cautiously thrown open, and á be in time for the morrow's marketman's head, enveloped in a worsted for a seat among his vegetables, by nightcap, thrust through the aperture. way of a dignified finale to his walk

“ Who's there?” enquired the land- of upwards of ten miles, and the mislord, in a peevish tone of voice full of haps consequent upon it. sleep.

After his recognition by his house"'Tis I,” replied Miles.

keeper, which was a task of no ordi“ And who the devil is I?”.

nary difficulty, Miles hurried into his “ A friend of Captain Capulet, Mr study, and throwing himself on a sofa, Waddilove of Wallington Lane, near ordered up all the cold meat in the Reading. I've been unexpectedly de- pantry, made a prodigious supper, tained in the neighbourhood, and want which he washed down with a bottle some supper and a bed, for it's too late of his very oldest Madeira, and then to think of returning home to-night." plunged into bed, where he soon fell

“ Humph!-supper and a bed! You'll into the soundest sleep ever, perhaps, get neither the one nor the other here, enjoyed by a sedentary gentleman on so be off with you—I ain't going to the shady side of forty. Had he taken open my door at this hour to fellows laudanum, or, what is equivalent to without a hat; you may be a thief laudanum, subjected himself to the for aught I know ;"--and with these perusal of Doctor Bowring's edition words, the landlord shut to the win- of Bentham, his slumber could not dow.

possibly have been more profound. Nothing daunted by this repulse, When he rose at a late hour next day, Miles discharged a second shower of in a state of more vigorous health, gravel against the window, hoping by bating a slight stiffness in his limbs, such means to bully the churi into a than he had known for some months, surrender. But he knew not the man he found his medical man waiting for he had to deal with; for no sooner had him in the breakfast parlour, whom he he taken aim for the third time against instantly acquainted with all the sufthe casement, than it was again open- ferings he had undergone on the preed, and down came the saponaceous ceding night. To his great astonishcontents of a wash-hand basin on his ment, the apothecary, so far from head!

condoling with him on his involuntary It was past one o'clock when a peripatetic achievements, had actually market-cart, laden with fruit and vege- the hardihood to congratulate him; tables, stopped at Waddilove's door, and even went the length of assuring and a gentleman descended from it, him that—notwithstanding his fatigues pale as the turnips among which he and vexations—he might consider himhad been seated, shaking in every self a very lucky fellow, inasmuch as joint from excessive jolting, his the walk, by giving a wholesome sticlothes begrimed with dust, and a mulus to his nervous system, and prohandkerchief tied about his head, ducing a corresponding energy of looking as rumpled as though a quart action in the blood, had most likely of water had been but just wrung out saved him from an attack of hypoof it. And this pitiable sample of hu- chondriacism, thereby exemplifying manity was Miles Waddilove, Esquire! the truth of the old adage_“out of Alas, how changed from that Miles- evil cometh good." quantum mutatus ab illo Hectore!

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A FAMILY CONTINENTAL TOUR, AND ITS RESULTS.

IN Six GLIMPSES.

GLIMPSE THE FIRST-Home,

6

“ I wish it were all over, and we safe in her bright black eyes, you may back again here,” said Mr Hartwell to expect, when you meet us at Paris on his good lady, as they sat at a break- our return, to find me quite a different fast parlour window of the family seat sort of person." in which he was born, and overlooked “ I trust not,” replied Edward his own park and the pleasant country Drayton, mournfully ; ' no, no, Jane! beyond.

remain what you are! I would not • Really, my dear," observed Mrs have you changed-no, not in any reHartwell in reply, “ to confess the spect.' truth to you, I do sometimes fancy “ Thank you, Edward, that's very that I wish the very same thing ; but flattering. Well, well, I believe you, still I am qnite sure that we must have notwithstanding ; but hark ye, sir, a very great deal of enjoyment during changed' is a word of strong import, our tour. Only think with what de- when spoken with foreboding tone, light all our neighbours speak of the and a countenance so dismal as that different places they have seen, while which I have the honour—nay, don't we can only sit and listen, and have be so very sensitive !-I mean the nothing to say."

pleasure of seeing before me,- I don't “ Ah, well!” sighed Mr Hartwell, like the word changed.' It implies “ the die is cast ; and so, go we must, suspicion, and you, less than all others, I

suppose now, though for my part I ought to make use of it to me, whom care no more about foreign places nor you have known so long ;” and she foreigners than they care about me." added reproachfully, “

you cannot " As to that, my dear, I don't sup- seriously imagine that a few months' pose we differ much; but then you absence from home can, by any posknow we must see them, or else we sibility, effect a change worth speakcannot say so.

ing of in

my
character, my

sentiments, “ If there was any chance of being or my feelings.' believed, I really think I could stretch • No, dear Jane, I will not; but I a point and · say so' without going, as cannot look calmly forward to the six a queer old gentleman recommended long dreary months of separation, to his son, rather than risk his neck by when you will be I know not where, descending into a coal-pit."

and associated with I know not The good lady laughed; and then, whom.” for the five hundredth time, alluded to “Why, really, my good gentleman, the advantages their daughter Jane you talk as if I was going to undertake would derive from the trip, though her an expedition into the interior of notions of their precise nature and ex- Africa, among savages, instead of tratent were by no means very distinct. velling over roads, along which, hunHow many English of late years have dreds of our own acquaintance have toiled and travelled about the Conti- passed before us; and among people nent with the same odd inducements! who claim to be even more civilized

In the library under the same roof, and polite than ourselves." two younger persons were conversing “ If I were but permitted to write upon the same topic.

to you, Jane !" I certainly am pleased at the idea or Hush, hush, Edward I be content; of going abroad,” said Jane Hartwell, let us keep one of our promises unbro- I will not for a moment deny it. ~ken, at least. As for the other' Indeed, as society now is, a tour forms and she hesitated and blushed. part of one's—what shall I call it ? - “ It is unbroken, dearest Jane!

finishing' my good governess might Do not imagine that any thing you have said ;-but you understand me, may have chanced to say in the con. I'm sure—and so, grave sir,” she fidence of our friendship, as to what added, while a playful light sparkled you might be prevailed on to do un

6

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6

der different circumstances do not sent, nor urge his suit when present, suppose that I will allow you—I mean, nor receive or exchange any promises myself—to receive, or you to commit from, or with her, until the expira. No, no,—think not of it; you tion of his minority.

This was an are free.”

unpalatable exaction; but as the only The language of the eyes cannot be alternative was strict exclusion from transferred to paper; but hers were the roof beneath which she dwelt, he most eloquent as she smiled and look- submitted with indifferent grace, and ed up in his face, and said :

so was permitted to pay occasional “ That is poor sophistry, Edward! friendly visits during the vacations, But let it pass. There is my hand as he was now pursuing his studies at once more! What I have said, I will Oxford. never retract. We understand each Similar restrictions were placed other ;"_and her head sank upon his upon Jane ; and it was understood shoulder.

by all parties, that, if all parties con“ Dear, generous, noble-minded tinued to be of the same mind at the girl !” he exclaimed.-—“ Yes, yes, I end of the period of probation—then, ought to be, and I will be, content !" and not till then, the matter was to

It need scarcely be said that these be taken into more serious considerayoung people were lovers ; but a few

tion. words are necessary to explain their How completely the young people position at this juncture.

had acted up to the letter, if not to the Edward Drayton had "spoken to spirit, of this engagement, has been the old folks” some months before; already seen; and the elders were perand the result of his passionate repre- fectly satisfied with the wisdom and sentations and protestations, and their propriety of their arrangement. calm deliberations and consultations, Under these circumstances they was, that they pronounced the young separated. The young gentleman folks to be too young to think seri returned to Oxford to complete his ously, or judge correctly, upon a sub- terms, and Mr and Mrs Hartwell and ject of so great importance. This de- their daughter went upon the Conti. cision, of course, appeared exceedingly nent; and, erelong, discovered that ridiculous to the young gentleman, all the places and things which they who was then within a few months of were desirous of saying they had seen, the completion of his twentieth year. could not possibly be seen in six But the elders were inexorable; and months. When that period had ex. he was compelled to pledge his word pired, they were at Geneva, in the of honour that he would neither cor- pleasant month of October. respond with the young lady when ab

2

GLIMPSE THE SECOND.-GENEVA,

“ It may sound like a contradice quently, they were frequently thrown tion, my dear Charlotte,” said Jane together. Hartwell to a young lady with whom “ No, no! It is not that!" exclaim. she was walking beneath the trees of ed Jane, rather hastily. “I wish you an elevated promenade' called • La would not be always teasing me about Treille,' but certainly so it is. The such nonsense!" last six months have passed away most " Well, well! Then it sha'n't be rapidly, and yet I feel as if I had been teased,” said Charlotte, playfully. very much longer away from Eng- But, if it is not that, I'm sure I can't land."

tell what it is." “Well, I'm no philosopher, but I “ Then I think I can," observed suppose the latter feeling comes over Jane, in an unusually serious tone. you when thinking of a certain per- “I have been questioning myself very son," observed Miss Byrne, who from closely, as my good governess taught a chance acquaintance had become me in former days, and I am not satisan intimate, and then a confidential fied with the result." friend, merely because her father and Why, my dear girl ! what can you self had been travelling over the same mean? You, who are all goodness ground as our tourists, and, conse- and innocence !"

66

Has it annoy

“No, no, Charlotte! we have lived during their promenade ; and when a strange and hurried life lately. I they separated, Miss Byrne.volun. have had no time to think, but I re- teered, for her friend's edification, a member how much I was at first comparison between the elegant po. shocked by the general profanation of liteness of foreign manners and those the Sabbath, the dreadful oaths I of England, by no means favourable heard, and the many things daily oc- to the latter. curring in our journeys so revolting “ And yet,” thought Jane, “how to our English notions."

impertinently intrusive and embar“ Call them prejudices, dear Jane, rassing would all that I have been and say no more about them." listening to for the last hour have ap

“ That is exactly what I have done, peared, if addressed to me when I Charlotte ; and I am not satisfied. first landed at Calais ! Yesterday was the first Sunday that ed me now? No, quite the contrary. we have attended any service since we Therefore I must be changed. left Paris ; and, even when we were Major Byrne and his daughter there, how was the rest of the day dined with the Hartwells that day; spent ? The manners and customs of and, in the evening, the worthy squire the people here are more like our own, was introduced to a “ cercle," where and what I heard yesterday reminded he passed several hours very agreeably me of home, and made it seem very at whist; so pleasantly, indeed, that he long since I last entered our quiet declared he almost forgot that he was little church, which we used to attend abroad. For this treat he was inso regularly; and it seemed to me debted to the Major, who had trathat I was separated from home not velled much, and seemed perfectly at only by absence of body, but in spirit. home wherever he went; and, sooth I feel that I am changed, or else how to say, Mr Hartwell, whose habits could I have seen and heard, so calmly were somewhat convivial, was right as I often have done, things which at glad of his acquaintance, for of sightfirst shocked me ?"

seeing he had long been heartily tired, dear friend, if we could and would generally, on their arrival make all the people do exactly as we in a town, enquire, with an almost wished, there's no doubt but they imploring yawn, “Well, I hope there's would all be a great deal better than nothing to be seen here?" they are ; but, since we cannot, it The “cercle” was, of course, redoes not seem worth while to be visited, and its delights might have detriste about the matter. Chacun à termined him to pass the winter in son gout, as the French say. The Geneva, had not their course been people here may shut up their shops previously decided on in family deon a Sunday; but they are as shocking bates, too long for detail, but the recheals as any of the rest, I know. sult of which was, an utter abandonThere was that diamond crescent hair- ment of the original limits of six comb of mine that was to be months to their tour. They were now but, la! only look! Yes, that's the on their way to Italy. handsome German count that was “ I am so glad we are going from with us at Chamouni! He sees us, too, this dull place,” said Charlotte Byrne and is coming this way; and there is to her father, as they were leaving another gentleman with him—who can Geneva. “If we had remained here he be? Il a bonne mine, at all much longer, I do think that Jane events.”

would have turned methodist; and The two gentlemen joined them, that would have been a pity, for she and talked as fluent nonsense as any was going on so well before! Scarcetwo young ladies would desire to hear, ly one foolish prejudice left.

" Why, my

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GLIMPSE THE THIRD.-Rome.

Another half year had elapsed, and was a flush upon her cheeks, and a it was on the day after a splendid ball restlessness in her dark sparkling eyes and entertainment given by Torlonia and quick occasional movements, that (the banking duke), when Jane Hart- indicated all not to be quite at ease well sat in her boudoir alone. There within,

“ Le Comte de Marberg !" said an she continued, in high spirits : " but, Italian valet, throwing open the door. . a propos des botes,' you have not told

“ Giacomo! Did I not tell you?" me how you contrived to find your way she exclaimed faintly; but, ere the here, when I ordered Giacomo to show words had passed her lips, the door all visiters to my father into the salon, was closed, and the person announced and to say that I was not at home. was in her presence, apologising in- You perceive that he has announced coherently, but with an almost reve- no one else, and some of my other rential air, for his intrusion.

partners must have called.” Such an intrusion would indeed have " Charmante étourdie!" exclaimed alarmed and perplexed the unsophisti- the Comte, gazing upon her with an cated daughter of Hartwell Hall a expression which would formerly have year earlier : but she had since seen discomposed her utterly, but at which ladies receive visiters of the other sex she now smiled, and merely bade him even in their chambers, and had “ as- proceed. So he informed her that her sisted” at numerous gay and frivolous father had been somewhat unlucky at parties of every description.

cards, when playing with a Russian She was now an altered person, and, nobleman and Major Byrne, in the instead of being over-fastidious, had early part of the previous night, and begun to abandon herself to that lati- that probably on that account he had tudinarian “ insouciance” of manners been induced to partake rather freely and conduct by which our fair coun- of the choice wines that were so abuntrywomen so frequently astonish fo- dant at the supper tables. reigners. Possibly her feelings might “ After that,” said the Comte, “ he be somewhat similar to those of a had some more play, and, as he was at new convert to some sect, who ima- the table with one of the bankers' re.. gines himself bound to evince, on latives, no doubt as they took care he every occasion, his utter contempt of should not be obliged to ask many all his former errors and prejudices, times for refreshments, and so he did by going somewhat farther than the not come home till long after I had the more regularly initiated.

honour and felicity to hand you to the Be such matters as they may, the Comtesse's carriage, and now—that is Comte Henri de Marberg (the same just now,

when I come, he is not up. “ handsome German” whom they had So I said, never mind, Giacomo, your met at Chamouni) and Jane Hartwell young mistress will do as well, and I were, in less than a minute after his know she is at home and expects me, entrance, engaged in a volatile tête às which must be the truth, because I am téte,” which continued for half-an

sure you cannot suppose as I would let hour, during which time they“ talked the morning pass without calling to over” the last night's party:

Then ask how you have recovered from your another half-hour was spent in a con- fatigue. And now I have asked you versation much more interesting to that, and something

else”both, but with the detail of which we “Ah, méchant! Do you dare, after shall not meddle till the expiration of I have forbidden you ?” exclaimed the said second half-hour, when Jane Jane, interrupting, with a playful air said, “ Now, really, if you wish us to of authority. “ Let us have no more remain friends, you must not continue of that, for the present at all events, to plague me with such nonsense. I or I shall positively hate the sight of have told you frankly that I do not you. There! Get along with you, do, mean to change my situation.” you good-for-nothing creature; unless

“ But, lovely Jane, it cannot be al.. you feel inclined for a little music this ways so. Your beauty and good sense morning, and then you may go into and accomplishments will ever make the salon and wait till I come," and you to be surrounded with flatterers she left the room laughing. and adorers, and I am sure you have a “ Twenty thousand English livres heart formed for"

sterling ! Cela en veut bien la peine!” “ Heigho! I'm sure I don't know muttered the Comte when left to himwhat it was formed for!” exclaimed self; and of course be descended to Jane, in a tone that appeared com- the salon. pounded of a sigh and a yawn ; but

At the time of the above conversathere was no time to consider which tion, Mr Hartwell was sitting alone predominated, for the moment after over his coffee and eggs, in a frame of

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