Impossible!" said sir Ormsby; "he dares not to suffer such a degradation."

"I am unfortunately ignorant of the lady's claim to a higher rank in life," continued Supple, with a significant emphasis; "but as I was observing, it is truly astonishing to see how people of no consideration, in fact, persons wholly unknown, how they mix in society."

"Yet I thought you seemed to insinuate Mr. Durweston was a man whose habits of life were distinct from a certain circle ?" said Sidney.

"Did I say so?" replied Supple. "Well, that took rise in my conviction that he did not deserve the consideration he seems in a degree to have attained,"

"And he is married," interjoined sir Ormsby, with a thoughtful look.

Why there again I beg to be understood," resumed Supple. "I do not exactly recollect how or where I first saw the young woman, but I perfectly remember

that

t

that the association seemed very

familiar;

and that more than once I have seen them purchasing articles of a domestic sort; and one evening, in particular, I saw them issue from a jeweller's shop, when the lady was evidently in tears."

"I have been too hasty," vociferated the baronet, in a tone of anguish.

"I fear you have," replied Sidney.→ "Shall I follow him ?"

"No, no-I know not where they live; besides, he has married her, and withholds it from me."

"Permit me to observe, my dear sir Ormsby, that I am not in possession of the fact. The matter seemed probable, from the situations in which I have seen them; and having by chance addressed the lady one evening, she took exception at it, and` with all those high-flown notions of delicacy which usually attaches to proud poverty, she expressed her resentment, in a tone which brought Durweston to her side, who, it seems, was discharging a coach from which

F 3

which they had alighted. My temper is warm, and I could not brook the authoritative voice in which he spoke. I asked him who he was? He said, That lady's protector.' The term made me smile, for it has, in London, a very ambiguous meaning. He saw my thoughts, and added, 'Her natural protector.' It is from this, and the subsequent observations I have made, when I have found him included in a few parties in which the lady was sure to make her appearance in the course of the evening, either at the Opera, whither we sojourned, or in some assembly. They seem, in these cases, to observe a distant civility; yet I find him ready to come forward in any little contingence which places her in a conspicuous point of view. Nay, the girl did not reject the appellation of Mrs. Durweston when a friend of mine addressed her by the name. Thus you perceive that though the fact is not conclusive, it is highly probable."

"Not in the least, sir," replied Went

worth.

worth. "To avoid the indiscriminate gallantries of such idlers as take pleasure in discountenancing virtue, must be the wish of a delicate woman; and though she might disclaim an assumption that was inconsistent with truth, there might be moments. when the shield was offered to her, and she rejoiced to embrace its security."

"Eminently refined, Mr. Wentworth !--these are the sentiments of the moralist; yet forgive me if I add, that the enthusiasm of youth makes you figurative. You take up the gauntlet for a stranger, and in your warmth are, perhaps, unconscious that you bespatter a party who, from their distinctness, might reasonably hope to be spared."

"Sir, I would willingly apologize to you, if I considered I had given cause for offence," said Sidney; " but you must pardon me if I observe, that for a person of whom you think so contemptibly, you are remarkably well-informed with respect to Mr. Durweston's situation, habits, &c. I grant there is a want of connexion in your history;

F. 4

history; and I am led to believe that your fancy has given a fashion to the tale not exactly suitable to the original text. Yet I thank you for it; and I perceive my father feels himself your debtor. It is on the common contingencies of life, in the simple events of the day, that all our fortunes take their rise. There is nothing wonderful under heaven ;—the temper of mind in which we receive these casualties alone makes the difference; and, for my own part, I must consider this morning as one of peculiar promise," and he looked towards sir Ormsby, entreatingly, though silently.

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The sun shall not go down on my anger," replied the baronet, in a hurried voice.

"I cannot too much applaud that lively humanity which graces your character, Mr. Sidney," said Supple; "yet permit me to add that your danger is incalculable. I know the world for what it is; and while I would hail and encourage every generous sentiment in the young, my experience

would