who had wooed the silken bonds of Hymen, scarcely any but had ultimately discovered them to be galling fetters.

The baronet contended these unhappy results were the natural consequences of London manners, London education-mar rying for estates in place of hearts.

"Yet, my dear sir," said Sidney, "you have pointed out an union of this sort to me. If personal beauty or interest could have influenced my feelings, I should have found no hesitation in complying with your wishes; but I am so persuaded I have formed very erroneous, not to say romantic, notions of a married life, that in crder not to prove myself a visionist, I must remain a bachelor."

"Poh! ridiculous!" replied sir Ormsby; "you will be ashamed of these sentiments. a month hence. Come, you shall drive me in your curricle over to the Hall. We will surprise Grace; and, indeed, my excellent friend, lady Layton, claims your acknowledgments. She is one of your warmest admirers;

:

admirers; and I very shrewdly suspect that she would have no objection to a double union taking place in our families-I mean between Louisa Beverly and you."

Sidney parried this new alliance with much cheerfulness. He declared that he was as well disposed towards her ladyship as her niece, Miss Beverly; but as he felt it was a passion not likely to endanger his peace, he had not the least objection to facing the danger.

Accordingly the curricle was ordered; and our hero, with all the expedition of a practised whip, soon brought the baronet to the avenue which led to Layton Hall.

She

The equipage was distinguished by Miss Wentworth from the breakfast-room. fled to meet her cousin. "My dear Sidney," and "my dear Grace," were the expressions which were interchanged ere Wentworth had given the reins to his groom.

"How she blushes!" said the baronet, in a low voice, to his son.

"Joy

"Joy has her roses distinct from Love," replied Wentworth, as he descended from the carriage, and with unrestrained freedom saluted the cheek of his fair kinswoman.

The arrival of a welcome visitor in the country, is announced by means less formal, and infinitely more sincere, than those used in London:

Lady Layton's butler had recognised our hero; and with that zeal inseparable from an attached domestic, had made the pleasing communication, that Mr. Wentworth and sir Ormsby were approaching. The ladies instantly quitted their immediate engagements, and met their friends in the saloon.

"This is an unexpected pleasure," said lady Layton. "My nephew will share our feelings; and, indeed, I almost think he has procured us our present gratification."

"That I must contradict," said the ba ronet, while an animated glow passed over his cheek. "Sidney is here in compliance with a half wish of mine. He was always

an

an adept in anticipating these sort of things; but somewhat tardy where I was most anxious," continued the baronet, lowering his voice. "How are we to account for this?"

"I really feel too happy," replied lady Layton, "to seek into causes. I see the happiest effects growing out of that liberality and confidence which has marked your conduct towards all those who have claim on your affections; and while I allow this, I do not disown that a portion of sel fishness is mine. Had you been arbitrary where would my dear Beverly have found his consolation ?”

"Upon my honour," said sir Ormsby, with an air of affected gravity, "you are doing an irreparable mischief. Observe this attentive group, who are translating your sentiments to their individual situations. Fanny is, in idea, confiding her longconcealed feelings to your lenient judgment; whilst my little Louisa seems already in the presence of her lover-if blushes indicate truly in such cases. Sidney, it is

you.

you or I," continued sir Ormsby, address

ing his son; and without vanity, I believe my right to this girl's favour is prior to your's."

Wentworth, somewhat oppressed by the raillery of his father, replied in a way which rather increased the confusion of Louisa, whose varying cheek told a tale which two in the circle were at no loss to interpret.

The gallantry of our hero might certainly be questioned, when, in the presence of young and beautiful girl like Louisa Beverly, he could calmly yield his right to a distinction so flattering, and declare, with a smile, that he honoured Miss Louisa's discernment. Now whether to impute this to the natural candour of his disposition, or to that phlegmatic trait so generally attached to the character of an Englishman, must be determined by those who follow us through the ensuing pages. The effect of that reply, however, would of itself form a little episode, so various are the comprehensions of the human mind.

Lady