mind far from enviable. « Confound cheap place I've found, though I sup. them altogether!” he murmured, pose one might hide one's-self in some “ There's madness in the very air one obscure town or village, and save breathes, I do believe. To believe that money. That's what we must do. If I, Charles Hartwell of Hartwell Hall, the air is to be of use to her, as they an English gentleman, who never say it will, it will be purer there thought of playing above crown points, than in a city. We have all the sumand always lived within his income, mer before us, and then, perhaps, I should be such an incomprehensible can find some fishing and shooting; ass as to sit down with a parcel of out- maybe somewhat different from our landish jabbering foreigners, and He- own, and so have something to talk brew Jews, and lose pretty near three about in that way when I get back, if hundred pounds in one night! Then ever I shall. Bless my heart! what there's the note I owe the major! a wild-goose chase we have been runZounds ! One must amuse one's self ning, just for the sake of being able somehow. Well, well, what's done to say that we have seen a parcel of can't be helped. Heigho! there's my places, and things, and people, that poor dear wife too! If any body had some of us might have been better if we told me that when she was ill I could never had seen. Heigho! and where's have sat down to breakfast without Edward Drayton, too? He seems in enquiring after her, would I have be- no hurry, now he's got to Paris.” And lieved it?" And, rising angrily, herang thus the poor gentleman went on the bell, and summoned her maid, who grumbling, after the too prevalent reported that her mistress had passed an fashion of persons, who, discontent with unquiet night, and that Miss Jane was themselves, resolve to be dissatisfied not yet stirring, though she well knew with every one else. how that young lady was engaged. Could he have witnessed the glee

“ I have a great mind to go back to with which, at that moment, his recent England at once," soliloquized the antagonists, and his friend the Major, squire when again alone. “ No, that were exulting and laughing over their won't do, I must wait here for a remit- winnings, and ridiculing his “ tour. tance. Besides, poor dear soul! in dise" and execrable attempts at speakher present state, she couldn't bear the ing French, assuredly it would not have journey. Humph! Naples, they say, increased the amiability of his disposiis cheap. If so, it will be the first tion.

66

GLIMPSE the FOURTH.- NAPLES.

On a bright calm day in the month see at Florence and Rome, was written of August, two gentlemen were seated at her father's desire, and is the only in a shady recess of the public gardens. one you ever received from her. There They had been for some time silent, certainly is nothing like love in that." and nothing was heard save the gentle « Oh, but in former days !"-groanplashing of the blue waters against the ed Edward, pressing his right band marble sea-wall. The younger was upon his burning forehead_“I cannot Edward Drayton, and fierce contend- endure it! If you knew all!" ing passions were painfully expressed

or I can conceive all, my young in his countenance. “ So you refuse friend,” said the Major ; " I have had me !" he at length exclaimed in an some experience myself in such mat

ters. You should look forward, and “ I see the end too clearly," replied not back.” Major Byrne," he is a practised fen- “ All is gloom and misery before cer, and would have his choice of wea- me!" exclaimed the youth.-" I shall pons. would stand no chance. never more know happiness !" None. Besides, after all, what has he “ Ay, so I have said ere now," done? You have told me that there observed the Major." But you are was no engagement between Miss wrong. Come, let us look at the Hartwell and yourself, and the letter thing coolly :- Suppose you were to you showed me, recommending you give Marberg the coup - de - grace, to travel slowly, and see all you could would your suit be forwarded one jot?

-Not an inch. You cannot marry About three weeks after the above the girl without her own consent; and conversation, the Comte Marberg lay

; if you could, would she be worth have reclined upon a sofa, in luxurious in. ing ?-No, no; leave her. She is not dolence. His features were somewhat worthy of you. Quit this place, and attenuated, and his complexion paler, travel ; and, rely upon it, that fresh from recent confinement; but the scenes and continual change will soon whole expression of his countenance eradicate—nay, nay, don't shake your was indicative of triumph. "Twenty head! I know they will; I know it, thousand English pounds sterling!” he Sir. Take my advice, and I'II bet soliloquized, - That's her own; and you a thousand to one you'll thank me as she is an only child, when the old for it some day."

people go, why, three or four times “ You mean me well, I have no as much more at least. Bravo, Henri doubt, Major; but you don't under de Marberg! Diable! I can hardly stand you cannot enter into my believe my good luck. Ah ! that's feelings. Call him out I will,—that's Byrne's voice! He has lost no time settled ; and the only question is, whe- since he got my note.” ther or not you will be my friend. I The Major here entered the apartask you, because I know no one else ment, and after a few words of conhere. Tell me plainly, yes or no?". gratulation upon the Comte's good

“ Why, Mr Drayton, I don't like looks, and evident convalescence, said to refuse you ; and yet You -" I have had a dreary time of it at must give me time to think of it-say Terracina. Almost every day some till to-morrow.”

traveller brought a report that there “ Be it so," said Edward, rising, was no chance of your recovery. If and taking the Major's hand," I I had not known your handwriting shall depend upon you. Excuse my well, I should have thought your last leaving you abruptly.-I am in no note a hoax.

What has wrought mood for conversation, as you may per

this sudden and almost miraculous ceive,”and he walked slowly away.

cure?" ** Confound the fellow !" said the “ La petite capricieuse," replied Major to himself; “I wish he'd bro- the Comte gaily ; " I shall not keep ken his neck by the way, ere he had you in suspense.

It is all good. All come here. All was going on so well! has been good since when that awkBut now, in spite of all he says, I ward Englishman gave me “ la botte ;' can see that the little flirt is undecided for which I thank you ; as if you told about who shall be the man; and, if me he knew nothing—absolutely noshe should jilt Marberg after all, I thing-of the use of the sword, I may whistle for the five hundred louis should have taken care, because nohe owes me. Then, if he should pink thing is so difficult as such a man ; this young fellow unluckily, he must like a left-handed man as squints, one cut and run, and that would be nearly can't guess what he will do.” as bad. No. He must disarm him.- “ Well, well!” said the Major, imThat's the play! or I will have no- patiently," never mind that now. thing to do with it; for, if mischief What happened after ?" be done, there will be an end of écarte Ah! after? You shall hear as I with the old noodle ; and such an un- played my game well. You call me suspecting, conceited, old pigeon, is expensive to have apartments in the not to be found every day. He thinks same hotel with them ; but I know he understands the game now, and better. Well, they brought me home billiards too! It is strange what could here, and sent for a medico, with whom have set him and the poor old lady I soon agree, as I will be in great dantravelling, when they have not one ger of my life, and so very interesting glimpse of taste for painting, sculp- ill. Eh! you see ? although the ture, music, scenery, or antiquities, wound is a mere bagatelle." or any one object in view, unless it be “ This is too bad !” exclaimed the • killing time,' which, he says, never Major; “ and so I might have remainbung so heavily on his hands at home ed šåfe in Naples, instead of running as it does here. It's a strange infatua. off and hiding tion! Well, as Franklin says, “A “ Doucement, my good Major ! I man will sometimes pay dear for his know my game better. It was necesWhistle.'"

sary to be debarrassed of that Drayton,

a

W

.

for I found out, no matter how, as the master-stroke !) she come again there has been un premier amour be- and again, and sat with my hand in tween him and you know who ; and, hers during some hours. And we are as you are his second, you could not not silent all that time, je vous en re. stop. Nothing else could do. We pond, Major, particularly as I got was on very uncertain ground, Ma- worse--and worse—andat last, father jor. If I had wounded him instead Isidore, a bijou of a padre, who comof me, and he been here like me prehend me as well as the medico, Bah! I believe truly as he should have came one niglit with the viaticum; and gained the preference after all. She all that night she remained at my bed. is so bizarre! What think you of her side till the morning, when the old playing the part of a sister of charity ? people find it out, and papa played Ha, ha! You see I was so very dan. “ le diable à quatre.” Ha, ha! He gerous ill, and like to lose my life, was too late! They forbid her to come which I hazarded on her account; so again, but'tis no use. She is entêtée, and she must be interested, and I send her come nevertheless, which soon made word, as I am content if I can but see the crisis of my danger go by; and her once before I die. She come di. then the old people themselves are glad rectly, and when I see the tears in her to come to, as it is gone too far for re, eyes, as she sat at my bedside, I take treat, as all the world in this great hotel her hand and press it. Bah! you may know every thing, and there is some guess what pass then; and after, as we other English families as will take the are under the same roof, (ah ! that was news home if they refuse their consent."

GLIMPSE The Fifth. --BADEN-BADEN.

My poor

dear mother never got the Comte has his motives for associathe better of it, I fear!” said the Com- ting with such persons as you allude to: tesse de Marberg; “ she had been very with some from family connexions, unwell for some time previous. She and, as he is seeking a diplomatic oflived only three months after my un- fice, with others, perhaps, from intefortunate marriage. It is now as many

rested motives.” years since that event, and you are the “Ah! Mary, you are but too corfirst bosom friend to whom I have ven- rect!" sighed the Comtesse. tured to conside the secret of my griefs. “ Well, then, Jane, let us hope he We were children and play fellows to- will be successful. I assure you that gether, Mary. Our prospects were my goodman thinks highly of the the same, but how different has been Comte's talents, and has expressed our lot!

You are returning to happy regret that they should be wasted in England, to the society of old friends, the frivolous sort of life that people and your own quiet, domestic home. lead here. If his time were but useFor me there is no such place—none! fully employed, he would find relaxaand the only chance of our being at all tion at home, instead of seeking it settled, even for a time, is the Comte's elsewhere from mere ennui. Nay, do obtaining some diplomatic situation, not shake your head, and look so inwhich, with his habits, is scarcely pro- credulous ! He would, indeed, Jane ; bable. In the mean while, we are and your kind attentions would then wanderers upon the face of the earth, be appreciated, and your purity of going from one gay place to another, mind would form a contrast that living in the strangest manner, I must”. know not how, and endeavour not to “ Oh, spare me !” exclaimed the think, for I have every reason to sup- Comtesse, - I cannot bear to hear you pose that my little fortune has been dis. talk so. You know not what you say. sipated long since. And then the strange, But, tell me, is Mr Lea intimate with coarse people of both sexes with whom the Comte ? I have not been out much I am obliged sometimes to associate !" lately, and acquaintances are formed

“ We married women cannot always here so suddenly ; besides, he never choose our own society,” observed Mrs mentioned his name before me. Tell Lea, hardly knowing in what way to me, do they play together?' comfort her once almost inseparable “ If you mean gambling, my dear, friend,“ norindeed can the men, parti. certainly not. My husband has an cularly at such places as this. No doubt, utter detestation of every thing of the

a

sort; but they have passed an hour or " There! Read that! It's from so together latterly at écarte,” your father-a cursed old miser! He

“ Ah! I thought so! He must not refuses a paltry single thousanddo so again. Warn him, but do not

curse him !
What for do

you sit let him know who told you. Tell gaping there, like a fool? Can't you him never to play with the Comte take and read ?- Eh?” and he threw again, particularly if I should be pre- himself upon a sofa, and, uttering low sent, or else-I cannot say more. imprecations, scowled upon his wife Oh, Mary! Mary! do not despise as she tremblingly unfolded, and, with me! I cannot help myself. I have tearful eyes, ran over the contents of told you much—but, if you knew all !” the letter; and, when she had finished, Shocked as Mrs Lea was, she had suf- looked up imploringly, and murficient presence of mind to pass un- mured, noticed the scarcely equivocal confes- “ I am very sorry--but what more sion of the gamester's wife, and can I do, Henri ?” referring to her last words, replied, “I • What more? Why, write again, shall often think of you when absent, and again, and again! I will have it. Jane, and of what you have told me; Say as the wine crop is nothing ; tell but we must never abandon hope, and him as some tenant have failed; or as if the Comte can but obtain his ap- it must come and secure my appointpointment, I don't despair. Idle folks ment; or what you like. Bah!” are always getting into mischief. “ But, listen, Henri! How can I There's my goodman, for instance, say any thing about the appointment, because he has nothing to occupy his when he insists upon knowing what time here, seems to have taken it into it is, and you will not tell me?" his simple head that he understands “ Bah, you fool! You know as I écarte, and so must needs try his luck know no more as yourself.” with an experienced player, as I sup- 6 And then your estate, Henri ? pose you mean to say the Comte is; This is the third time he has enquired so, of course, I shall lecture him on the where it is precisely, and I cannot tell subject, and really feel greatly obliged him more than it is near the Rhine. to you for your friendly warning." ” He says it may be mortgaged, and

• Hush !” exclaimed the Comtesse, money raised so. I don't understand " that is his voice! He is angry at such matters, but": something, I know by his tone. « Oh, you don't, don't you? But uz talk of something else—anything! you understand them so well as I unYou said you were going to see the derstand your fortune being in three castle at Eberstein, I think. Do per cent instead of sterling, what I exseem cheerful!"

pected. You could keep that back to There was a scowl on the brow of deceive me when you would be comComte Henri de Marberg as he opened tesse, and you must do something now.". the door; but it disappeared the mo- r. Indeed, indeed, Henri, I never ment he beheld his wife's visiter ; and meant to deceive you! You know I during her stay he endeavoured to did not. All that I knew was that make himself particularly agreeable— my aunt left me”. an endeavour in which he was seldom “ Curse, your aunt and all the faunsuccessful.

mily!" “ Accept my

thanks for

your

kind ói Oh, Henri! Could I ever have attention to my dear Jane,” said he, believed !” when Mrs Lea was about to take 66 Well, well, then don't be a fool. leave; “ she is sadly too much alone, Do as I tell you, and write and coax I often urge her to mix more in so- him. Come, come, don't cry like a ciety, particularly as your country child-so stupid. I don't mean no families are

so many here ; but I harm, only, besides this letter, I am procannot persuade her as I would, and I voked as I lost more than I intended fear she is very dull at sometimes, with that lady's husband to day, bethough her amiable disposition is such cause there was somebody looking on as she always says it is not so. as I am afraid knows too much ; but

Having dismissed their visiter, the I shall get my revenge tomorrow, Comte strode back to the table, and when he will come here. You see throwing down a letter, said, in an I do all I can, and you must help and angry tone,

do something too."

Let

GLIMPSE THE Sixth.-HOME.

Two elderly gentlemen were sitting five thousand pounds besides, under over their wine in the dining-room of various pretences, all of which I at Hartwell Hall. In their earlier days last found, on enquiry, were false. they had spent many a social confi. And that was not the worst. She had dential evening together; but duty had deceived me too. I thought I should called one to the East Indies, where have gone mad when I discovered he had resided many years, and this that. Oh, Cowdrey ! If you had but was his first visit to his friend since known her when we left England ! his return.

She was all goodness and purity, and, “ I see you don't think much of my though young, we considered her lot second choice, Cowdrey,” said squire in life settled, as an attachment had Hartwell.

sprung up between her and a young “ My dear fellow !” exclaimed Mr man wlio was all we could wish. Poor Cowdrey, “what can you mean? Edward Drayton! He has never held Surely I have not committed any up his head like a man since! He breach of politeness, or failed in pay- took to the church afterward, and I ing Mrs Hartwell proper attention at had the pleasure of presenting him to dinner?"

a small living last autumn-a poor “ No, no, not at all, my old friend. compensation! Ah! if Jane had but You East Indians cut us plain country married him, how happily might we gentlemen quite out in that respect; all have lived together here !_here, but I know, by your look and manner, where our forefathers have lived for a certain something that I can't de- so many generations. But, to think scribe, but which puts me in mind of that this fine estate would pass away old times, and I like you all the better at my death to a foreign swindler, for it. Come, speak out plainly, and was more than I could endure.

The tell me what you think of her." idea haunted me continually. By

“ In the old times you allude to, I night I was tormented with dreams of might have been foolish enough to executions in the house, and sales by decide upon the character of a person auction of every familiar object; and at first sight; but since then, I have by day, especially at twilight, all the been deceived rather too often to ven- family portraits seemed to look at me ture such random shots. Moreover, imploringly, as though they tried to if I had seen more of your good lady, speak, and beseech me to save them methinks that my opinion would be from coming degradation. Then, if I of little importance. If you are happy rode out, or took my gun, or strove in and content, that's quite enough- any way to amuse myself in the open never mind what other people think.” air, it was all the same. The woods,

“ Very true, very true, my good the river, the very ground beneath friend. That's the main thing; and appeared to reproach me, and I fanafter all, perhaps, I might have done cied that the fine old trees, as their worse, for I must say that she keeps branches waved aloft, cast a darker all household matters in capital order, shade around, and groaned as though though, sometimes, she's a confounded the axe were already at work to hew deal too particular and straitlaced. them down to supply the wants of a That is, according to my fancy, for I gamester and a stranger. More than always liked a cheerful house. I once I was tempted, since all must go, believe I was rather too much in a to turn gamester myself ; for, in our hurry; but I married her out of spite, unfortunate tour, I had been betrayed and the end is answered, that's some into that vice, and suffered some temcomfort."

porary inconvenience in consequence; “ Not the most amiable motive pos- but, luckily, I had then made a vow sible. How was that?"

never to play for above a certain " I remained a widower for three stake, or, I have frequently thought years, and, during that time, the since, I might have given way to the scoundrel who married my daughter, temptation, for I was reckless, and spent or gambled away the whole of longed for some strong excitement her fortune, and swindled me out of that might prevent me from thinking,

a