of the degree of interest his correspondent might attach to it, had sent him the unwelcome news.

In the course of the evening, the following note was sent up to him from Mr. Middleton:

"SIR,

"As I consider myself highly aggrieved by the information I received from you this evening, and as I presume that neither my society, nor that of my daughters (who, by your own confession, are not good enough to please you), can have any longer charms for you, it will probably be as agreeable to your wishes as my own, that we should part, though I have no particular desire to put you to more inconvenience, as to time, than is absolutely necessary. In the meantime, I will not further trouble you with the employment in my house, which has hitherto occupied your leisure hours.

“I am, Sir,

"Your obedient servant,
"JOHN MIDDLETON."

"Thus end my dreams of competence and happiness with Alice!" said Arthur mournfully to himself "turned from my uncle's door, with no resource left me but to return to England, and to my old profession. Would that I had never left it-that I had never trusted to the invitations or professions of a madman, for such must my uncle most surely be, to have formed so absurd a plan, and to be so earnest in car

rying it into execution, no matter whether with or without the concurrence of the parties concerned. And, as though this were not enough, I am tortured with suspicions of her faith! I am told she is to be married to another!"

It was vain to look for sleep that night, after the occurrence of such events. All night he lay tossing and forming plans for the future, his uncertainty, with regard to the constancy of the mistress of his affections imparting additional bitterness to these painful, though necessary reflections.

After a sleepless night, he rose, according to the Anglo-Indian custom, at four o'clock, to take his constitutional ride, before the sun should have forced him, in common with the rest, to retreat to the darkest corner he could find.

Though in no mood for society, his own thoughts were so uncomfortable, that he willingly accepted an invitation of joining some friends who were on their way to look at an English ship, which had just been descried as entering the port. With a light breeze she sailed majestically in, and cast anchor at a short distance from the land. All was soon bustle and confusion. Boats hastening to put off in the hope of landing passengers and luggage; questions bandied to and fro, as to her cargo, &c.; the air filled with the yells of the disputants, as to the prior right of each to the employment of their skiffs.

As Arthur and his companions sat on their horses gazing at this scene, a boat pulled on shore close to

the spot he occupied. It was filled with luggage, on some of which the name of "Shenstone" inscribed in large letters, suddenly struck his view. "Shenstone!" thought he, "the very name, and yet it cannot be ?some brother or cousin doubtless. Would it were, indeed, that very Shenstone whom I dread! but he is too fortunate a man to seek in India the happiness I have too much reason to fear is at this moment within his reach. However, I will investigate this matter." And he waited until the passengers disembarked with the intention of observing to whom these effects belonged. Presently a young man jumped on shore, and approached the position Arthur had taken up in the immediate vicinity of the packages which had attracted his attention. As a pretext for making his acquaintance, Arthur requested to know if he could be of any service in directing him to a hotel, as he was probably a stranger to the place. The stranger looked steadfastly at Arthur for a moment, and then thanking him, gratefully accepted his services. His luggage was speedily stowed away in a palâquin, and the two gentlemen proceeded together, Arthur having previously dismounted, and consigned his horse to the care of his servant.

As they walked on, Arthur burned to make enquiries of his new acquaintance; but how to open the subject with an entire stranger?

"Is it your intention to make some stay here, Mr. Shenstone?" he began.

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'I believe that it is probable that I may do so,” an

swered his companion. "I am not bound to any particular place, but am merely come to see the country, its usages and inhabitants."

"May I be excused, sir," rejoined Arthur, " for asking what I fear may appear an impertinent question in so new an acquaintance, but which I have particular reasons for being desirous of putting; namely, whether you belong to the Shenstone family whose estate lies in-shire?" (naming the county in which was situated Graham Court).

The stranger made a gesture of surprise, and looking at Arthur, said "I do certainly belong to that family; but, in my turn, may I ask your motive in putting the question?"

"I have some very dear friends in the neighbourhood of Shenstone House, and I was not without a hope, that in the event of your claiming some acquaintance with that family, I might be enabled to learn news of them."

"Do you allude to the Grahams of Graham Court, sir, may I ask?"

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"I do," replied Arthur. "And I have heard," added he, hesitating, " that an individual bearing your surname, but with whose christian name I do not chance to be acquainted, is likely to become the husband of one of Mr. Graham's daughters?" And he looked earnestly in the stranger's face, as though to read his inmost thoughts.

"Before I answer you, allow me to put one question," said George, (for the reader is well aware tha

the effects which first introduced him to Arthur's notice, can belong to no other than himself), "have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Ashmont ?"

"The same," replied Arthur.

"Then," said George mournfully, "I can inform you with perfect truth, that the reports you have heard relative to Miss Graham's marriage are false, and to the best of my knowledge, she has no matrimonial connection in view at present."

Arthur's heart leapt within him as he heard this welcome news; he could have fallen on his knees, and worshipped the bearer of such joyful tidings; and indeed with difficulty he refrained from grasping the stranger's hand, and pouring out his soul in rapturous acknowledgements for the benefit he had conferred. With how lightened a heart did he retrace his steps to his uncle's abode! How did he reproach himself for doubting his Alice's faith! Nay, so great was the exuberance of the moment, that he no longer remembered his quarrel with his uncle, and its probable results. Every thing was banished from his mind, but the simple fact that Alice, his own, his beloved, still was constant, still was true!