That holy look? which might have given Alas! it seems but yesterday And now I view thee as thou wert But oh! albeit thy loveliness CONUNDRUMS.-BUDGET XII. "D'ye give it up?" 29, When is wine like a pig's tooth? 30. What burns to keep a secret? 31. Why is a sick Jew like a ruby? 32. When angry old Boreas (a blusterer reckoned,) Imparts to my first all his terrible rage, The victim of both is too often my second, Presuming a war so unequal to wage: My whole is a being by nature designed, Profuse and benevolent, undaunted and kind, Who rides on the billows and sleeps on the wind. 33. How you understand me must depend upon how you spell me. One way I am what one Alexander was; what a king of Prussia always was, and what many other heroes have aspired to be reckoned. My other orthography degrades me to a mere receptacle of one of the four elements. Charles Brunville, at the early age of two-and-twenty, obtained a commission in the guards, and being liberally supplied by his friends, who were of the first respectability, was enabled to appear in every respect as a man of fashion: yet, gifted as he was by nature and fortune, his affections were of a more humble nature than accorded with the proud views of his family. Angelina, the daughter of an aged veteran, whom misfortune had reduced to a state of indigence, was the object of his most ardent love; and she returned his honorable and disinterested passion with the warmth of uncontaminated innocence. The opposition which his father made to his union with Angelina, though it did not alter his determination, in some degree restrained him; and, in the life-time of Cleveland, he forbore to act in open defiance of their authority. His death, however, throwing her entirely upon him for protection, induced him to sacrifice every consideration to preserve the woman he adored; and he prevailed upon Angelina to accept his hand, and introduced her to his family, as one he was determined to protect from injury or insult, at the hazard of his life and fortune. Exasperated by his declaration, Mr. Brunville instantly forbade him the house, and cut him off entirely from any claim upon the estate, as a punishment deservedly incurred by his disobedience. Young and sanguine in his expectations, the pecuniary loss affected Captain Brunville but little; and the strength of his love for a woman, so undeservedly despised, rather increased than abated. For a short time they subsisted in a state of genteel affluence on his pay; but a love of dissipation, which he never had prudence to restrain, and an increase of family, involved them in the greatest embarrassments; and, as there are numerous temptations and resources in London, Brunville was not long a novice in the ways of the world. The gambling-tables were repeatedly visited; nor was he roused from his delusion till he found himself the dupe of villany: he returned, pillaged and involved, to his family: his father would not advance him a shilling to save him from perpetual imprisonment, and his children wanted the necessaries of life. To one gentleman he owed two thousand pounds: he was importunate for payment, and Brunville could not raise a twentieth of the sum. "Will you," cried he, almost distracted, "dearest Angelina, go to Mr. Barfleur? inexorable as she is, he will surely be moved by the sight of such virtue in distress. Take our beauteous little innocents-they will 'plead to his heart!Excellent girl, forgive this request, dictated by necessity." Angelina paused a moment-tears filled her eyes-the struggle of her feeling was hard; but affection for her husband overcame the timidity of her nature, and throwing her arms around him, she cried, "Have I not been the cause of all your sufferings? has not your fatal attachment to me reduced you to this? and shall I refuse to save you if in my power, from a noisome dungeon? Oh! let me go immediately, my dear Charles." As a great deal depends upon a first appearance, Angelina exhibited her children in the most attractive yet simple garb, and hastened with them to the house of Mr. Barfleur. She was admitted immediately, and had every reason to fear, from the sternness of his features, a rejection of her petition. Kneeling, with upraised hands and supplicating looks, she implored his compassion while she was supported on one side by a graceful boy, whose eyes were raised with the most expressive earnestness to the furrowed face of Mr. Barfleur, as his arm fondly encircled the neck of his mother; and a lovely little girl, about six years old, hid her face with her hand, and wept in sympathy. Mr. Barfleur was inconceivably affected, and raising her kindly, assured her that, though he would never forgive the least appearance of imposition, he was so well convinced of her sincerity, he would do all in his power to serve Captain Brunville and her. He was as good as his word: the bond was cancelled; the children placed, at his expense, in reputable schools,—and an annual stipend settled on Brunville, till he could, by economy, retrieve his affairs. A few years rendered his generosity to the captain useless; he fell in a desperate engagement, and Mrs Brunville, never recovering the shock of his death, followed him to the grave in a few months. Still extending his benevolence to the orphan children, he placed Charles in the army; and finding Angelina daily acquiring fresh beauties, his heart expanded to her with a warmth of sentiment he had scarcely ever felt before. Attached to him by gratitude, the artless caresses of Angelina augmented his passion; and he determined, in defiance of the world's censure, to make her his wife. Angelina had scarcely seen any other man in her life-certainly loved none so well; and not considering the nature of the engagement, or the disparity of their years, consented without the smallest reluctance, as the most effectual method of ensuring his perpetual protection for herself and brother, whose return now was hourly expected from a foreign expedition, when the ceremony was immediately to take place. The wished-for period arrived-Charles rushed into the arms of an affectionate sister a kind benefactor. With him he brought a youth; introduced to their notice as one, who, at the risk of his own life, had been the preserver of his, in an enterprize of imminent danger. The modest and pensive looks of the young stranger spoke strongly in his favor; and, upon being questioned by Mr. Barfleur respecting his name and family, he replied, with an air of distress and humility." Excuse me, sir, on a subject that gives me the most poignant grief. I knew but one parent; she fell the victim of parental cruelty and base seduction; yet her virtues were such as reflect shame on her persecutors; and I live to lament her misfortunes, and revenge her wrongs!" As his fine countenance was agitated by contending passion, Angelina surveyed him with mixed surprise and admiration, and, for the first time, wished her destined husband otherwise than he really was. Barfleur watched her with looks of mistrust, and trembled for his own success, when contrasted, as he now was, with youth and beauty. Charles, finding he had done wrong in introducing a stranger, apologized with the most respectful timidity; and, as Barfleur could do no less than give him a courteous reception, a short time removed all appearance of restraint. Charles expressed the most unfeigned astonishment at the proposed arrangement, yet it was unmixed with dissatisfaction; and Angelina sighed as her lips moved in confirmation of the intelligence. The young stranger gazed attentively at the whole party, and again relapsed into a state of dejection. In a few days every thing was prepared for the nuptials; and, as the hour approached, the heart of Angelina sunk with reluctance. A heavy gloom sat on the brow of Charles, and a tear fell upon the hand of his sister as he raised it to his lips to congratulate her on her approaching happiness. On the morning appointed for the ceremony, the stranger was no where to be found; but in the dressing-room was the following note, addressed to Charles Brunville : "An unhappy passion, which not even the utmost exertion of my reason can restrain, has occasioned me to act in this mysterious manner. The partiality which your friendship has procured me from your lovely sister, may, in time, be productive of fatal consequences; and as I dare not attempt to injure the benefactor of one I so much esteem, I must tear myself for ever from an object so attractive as Angelina, To hear of her welfare is all the consolation I dare hope for; and my most fervent prayers shall be offered up for her happiness. "EDGAR." Charles instantly put this note into his patron's hand, and watched his eyes with the most eager attention. Barfleur read it in visible agitation; his hand shook, and tears filled his eyes. "Tell me candidly, Charles," cried he, "do you imagine Angelina has a partiality for this youth? Remember, I question you upon your honor!" Charles, trembling, replied,"I dare not deceive you, sir, I suspect she has." Barfleur struck his forehead in doubt and uneasiness" I see my error," cried he, "and am deservedly punished; but suffer |