6

her uncle himself she ventured once in very mild terms to hint, she feared that something unusual disturbed him,' and received for answer

'Well, suppose it is so what could you do for me? What do you know about politics? The asperity with which this interrogation was made, frightened poor Adelaide from ever renewing the subject.

The horror which Mrs Holbey protested she felt, upon her first visit to the Church, soon wore off, but she never could really like it, and always lamented they had taken a seat in so gloomy a place, and soon besieged her husband to relinquish it, and go to another. But in this he for once asserted his independence by saying

'You had your choice, madam—nothing could suit you but the most expensive seat in the most expensive building, and I shall not be at the trouble to hire another.' Mrs Holbey was constrained to submit in silence, but she seldom after this went out on the Sabbath, except to walk at the close of the day on the Battery. Adelaide meanwhile continued her attendance on public worship, where she gradually commenced an acquaintance with the amiable and pious Miss E-, her next neighbor, who was so much pleased with her meek and humble deportment in the house of prayer, that she at length introduced herself to the fair orphan, and solicited her acquaintance. Most gladly was the invitation accepted by one who felt herself so utterly destitute of female sympathy. Miss E-requested her to pass a day with her during the week.

To gain her aunt's permission to visit Miss E- her niece feared would be difficult, as she kept her so much

confined at home; but she ventured to make the application, and putting her friend's card into her hand, requested permission to visit her on that day.

'Most certainly I shall not permit my niece to visit a family of whom I have not the remotest knowledge,' was the reply- who knows, madam, but you may have picked up some very low acquaintance?'

'Low acquaintance,' repeated Mr Holbey, it is not a very low name-let me see the card;' he took it from the hand of his wife, who really trembled with ill repressed

rage.

'You are very much mistaken madam-the Efamily are among the very first in the city, a most ancient family, and immensely rich.' The countenance of Mrs. Holbey underwent a considerable alteration for the next three minutes, at length she inquired, if there were any sons in the family?

Adelaide had observed several times a most striking likeness in the countenance of the young Clergyman who occasionally officiated at church, and Miss E, and the question for a moment confused her, and she faintly answered not that she knew of.'

A loud knock at the door immediately interested the attention of the ladies, and the next moment the identical young Clergyman was ushered into the drawing-room. With inimitable grace he immediately walked to Mr Holbey and shaking hands with him, introduced himself as Mr E. Mr Holbey in his turn introduced him to his wife and daughters, with two or three young ladies who were visiting them. The young man kept turning his

eyes from one to another in some confusion, until Mr Holbey taking a hand of Adelaide drew her from behind her aunt's chair, where she had taken refuge from the scornful and upbraiding looks of that lady.

'My niece, sir, I presume you are acquainted with.'

No, sir, I am not,' answered the Clergyman, standing and surveying Adelaide with a look of undisguised pleasure, I have not that pleasure-I merely came as a messenger, or rather as a substitute for my sister, who is so happy as to have become acquainted with Miss Mellville. Eliza does not visit at present, being confined by the indisposition of my father, and she entreats the favour of your niece's company, to pass the day socially at our house.'

Mr Holbey bowed his assent to the ground, and turning to Adelaide, bade her go and get ready.

The ungracious looks of Mrs Holbey, and the dark and withering glance directed at her niece as she left the room, was not unobserved by her guests, and the conclusion was not a flattering one. The second daughter observed it, and inwardly regretted her mother should have dropped the mask so very inopportunely.

CHAPTER III.

With what a majesty he bears himself."

Shakspeare.

The carriage that conveyed Adelaide and her clerical beau, after passing through several streets to a considerable distance, at length stopped before an ancient gate-way whose heavy carved work reminded one of other countries. Over the huge gate, which was of wrought iron, was suspended a large lanthorn surmounted by a coat of arms, which, though not carved with remarkable neatness and now much defaced, attested by its once splendid bearings the high rank of the family whose name it was intended to perpetuate. The building within the enclosure of dark brick, and immense thickness of walls, corresponded with the entrance: an air of gloomy grandeur seemed to pervade the whole establishment, and as Adelaide passed through the folding-door and up the spacious entry, a feeling of awe involuntarily came over her, and she felt as though about to appear in the presence of some superior being. Nor was the feeling lessened when received by her fair friend at the door of the sitting-room, she was led up to the master of the mansion to undergo the ceremony of introduction.

The venerable figure that occupied the high-backed chair in the corner, corresponded with all Adelaide's ideas of royalty. The majestic height of his person astonished

her, being several inches taller than any one she had ever seen before. With a faint smile he extended his hand to welcome his daughter's friend, who absolutely felt her's tremble in his pressure, and she thought as she ventured from time to time to steal a glace at him, she should never be able to describe the unearthly look which he wore, for he was evidently on the confines of mortality, besides which she could not but draw comparisons between the dignity of deportment conferred by nature and confirmed by education, to that assumed importance, which of all Mrs Holbey's disagreeables, disgusted her the most.

The day passed most delightfully to Adelaide; the restraint she felt at first gradually wore off, and she became social and agreeable. The old gentleman, as he listened to her artless remarks and unsophisticated language, could not but secretly compliment his daughter's discernment. Mr E had been a patriot and a soldier during our revolutionary struggle, and he could not converse long with any one without adverting to a subject, which of all others except one, interested him most. The subject of our National Independence was one that always aroused the attention, and almost absorbed the faculties of his youthful guest, and the judicious remarks which she made from time to time upon subjects which do not usually engage the attention of females, perfectly charmed her audiShe was well read in the history of her country, and her fine memory readily retained every thing interesting to her feelings. In childhood she had often been seated on the knee of her grand-father Mellville, and heard him

tors.