simple wealth permits a liberal heart and enlightened mind to perform, he promised himself no common portion of happiness, and fancied his sun would descend in mild glory. So pro-' bably it might have done, had he never submitted to that malign influence which blasts with repercussive destruction after it has ceased to be lord of the ascendant.

On the day the motion was brought forward Avondel went down to the house at an early hour. In passing through the avenues he was assailed by Monthermer, with an abrupt inquiry if he was alarmed at seeing him? Avondel replied, the sight of an old friend was more calculated to give pleasure than alarm. "Tis strange. then," returned the general, "that I should have been some weeks in England without seeing you."

"I have called," said Avondel,

" and

you were absent."

"You have called '" exclaimed Monthermer, and then added with emphasis, "This to my face? Thou villain!"

Avondel retreated as if struck by the charge of a culverin. His blood boiled at the opprobious epithet, but he recollected rage was as delirious as insanity, and determining to be calm, he asked the reason why he was assaulted with such language?

"Ask your own conscience, cursed dissembler," was the reply of the infuriated husband. He stamped with his foot, and added, "my wife, my wife! I will have satisfaction."

"Your wife," returned Avondel, "is spotless for me."

Monthermer continued to rave, call-. ed her an injured vestal, and demanded a recompense for intended wrongs in a still louder tone.

This is no place," said the earl, "to discuss our dispute. I am summoned into the house by important duties. You are a brave man, general, as such suspend this fury."

"You will meet me then ?" inquired Monthermer.

"As a friend, and as the vindicator of my own honour, I will meet you any where," was Lord Avondel's reply.

"To-morrow at six in the morning without seconds in the Green Park."

"I will meet you without witnesses," answered Avondel, "and with no other weapons than truth and justice."

At this moment Lord Glenvorne joined them, attracted by the loud tones and violent gestures of the general. "I trust," said the marquis, "I am not an impertinent intruder."

Avondel answered this was his first

interview with General Monthermer since his return from India, "but not our last," muttered Monthermer as he retired. "I trust," replied the earl, in a firm but conciliatory tone, "we shall meet often in amity and esteem."

"You must not call my friendship officiousness," said Lord Glenvorne to Lord Avondel, "if I anxiously ask, what has been the nature of your conversation with Paulina's husband ?"

"The denomination you have used," replied the earl, "points it out. He has heard something respecting my intimacy with that lady, which he is disposed to resent. Common report is very busy with characters, but I am convinced it will be easy for me to clear. my own conduct. Though violent, Monthermer is a man of honour."

"The less likely" observed the marquis, "to be soon appeased, especially if, as is probable, he has been

wrought up to resentment by one whose influence over his passions is well known."

"We will postpone this subject," answered the generous earl, who could not for a moment believe Paulina had turned his accuser. "A more important business requires immediate attention. My Lord Glenvorne, I ask your support this evening, but it is in the persuasion that you will feel yourself acting as a loyal subject and steady patriot, by ranging yourself on the side of your friend. Firmness and wisdom, my lord, united with courage, will repel public as well as private enemies."

Never did the abilities of Lord Avondel appear to greater advantage than on this evening. With masterly precision he followed the popular orators through the whole range of their sophistical arguments, and by the power of reason, combined with historical