the whole party. Lennard had taken the hand of lady Anna, and was addressing her in a low voice, when she suddenly disengaged herself, and averting her head, appeared uneasy.

"I knew you were fishing in troubled water," whispered the Magician. "She is above you; seek a light more congenial to your fortunes."

"An enemy !" said Lennard, seizing the cloak of the Magician. "I will unhood you, though your agent, the devil, were at your elbow."

"No, no," cried lady Anna, in trepidation, "leave him-let him go."

Lennard unloosed his hold for a moment; and regarding her ladyship with a look of jealous anger, he stood irresolute.

"Leave him," interjoined Wentworth. "He has abused the privileges of a social meeting, by venting the preconcerted acumen of a malicious nature; he is beneath your contempt."

"One word," said the Magician, motion

ing Lennard to approach. The Sailor paused; he was not disposed to concede. An imploring look from lady Anna determined him; and he approached the subtle practitioner. "How would you use an almost involuntary foe whom you met professionally-for I know your dress is suited to your calling ?"

"With generosity," retorted Lennard. "I am such," continued the Magician; "and while I fight with you practically, I pity you in my heart."

Pity!" echoed Lennard; " pity from a conquered foe-the term is out of place; I am not used to pity."

"I pity your cause," replied the Magician; "seek a new light;" and waving his wand, he departed into an inner room.

"That party-coloured booby, the Harlequin, is the agent of this malicious demon," said Lennard. Let us seek him; I will make him out."

"Poh!" replied Sidney, "you are treating the matter seriously, when you might

very justly acknowledge your gratitude ;for your goddess was not less awed by the Magician, than tenacious for yourself."

At this moment a commanding figure of a woman, habited as Minerva, approached. Her waving plumes stood proudly eminent above the heads of the ladies, while the gentlemen, with various opinions, were remarking her manner and gesture.

"Hail, goddess!" said Wentworth, addressing the stately dame; "may I ask your interference for this son of the deep? I know your power, and would fain be indebted to your generosity."

My son," said the goddess, turning towards Lennard, "heroism and learning do not always unite. Say, canst thou tell me what obligation thy profession owes me?"

66

Majestic queen," replied Lennard, our floating home was thy invention; and that system which is our guide is indebted to your zeal for its improvements." "He willingly would ask your special

favour," interrupted Wentworth. "He. sighs for the prophetic prow which, in the absence of his goddess, would prove his

solace."

"Not as an oracle," said the majestic fair," but as an echo, I presume?"

Exactly so," resumed Sidney; "and when this modern Jason shall attain his golden fleece, bring him safe to the harbour of content."

"You are warm in friendship's cause," said the goddess. "But I think my pro-. tegée wants this," and she drew an olive branch from her bosom.

My character is known. I punish the presumption of such as would aspire to rivalité; yet I know how to be generous. Fair lady," she continued, turning to lady Anna, "this fadeless branch is thine-bestow it graciously."

"I suppose I must obey," said lady Anna, smiling.

"Not unless you are sincere," rejoined

the

the lofty dame.

"A sailor is always ready to meet peace, but it must be an honourable overture."

Wentworth took the hand of lady Anna, and drew her, "nothing loth," towards his friend, who received the fair deposit, and with it the memorable emblem of nature's reviving concord.

"Sister and I be comed all the way from Glostershire to get places," said a Countryman, dressed with awkward rusticity, and on whose arm hung a youthful figure of a female, simply attired.

Minerva was retiring towards a group of mixed characters, when the countryman, pressing forward, arrested the steps of the, goddess.

"but may

"No offence," said Hodge, hap you be she that I reads of in the Lunnun papers; she that gives the places to young men, and makes soldiers of sarvants. I'se fain to speak o' unself overmuch, but I'se main handy, as Sukey can tell. Speak up, Suke." "I can't,