finding Raynolle, as he had been taught to expect, established as master of the house during his father's absence, and the airs of grandeur you would assume with me, Monsieur le Richard, are wholly thrown away. I fear neither the canes of your footmen nor the staves of the huissiers, with whose aid you are accustomed to make war upon your debtors. Only this I tell you, without rancour or malice, that you leave this house as the affianced husband of my sister, or you leave it not alive. Hester is your equal, sir,-for you possess riches and consideration, she youth and beauty; and, in point of family, both alike are sprung from the people. But even did there exist a disparity of condition, you should have thought of it before your visits here brought disgrace on an honest family!'

Madame Darley and her daughter listened in consternation to this arrogant address, not conceiving that the unsupported menaces of a youth of Gerard's age could be productive of any other result than that of incensing against them the munificent patron to whom they had so many obligations; and Hester grew pale with rage at the idea of any interruption to an intimacy which had been the means of affording such luxurious indulgences to her vanity, and rendering her an object of envy to their less fortunate neighbours. But her vexation was soon converted into hope of a more favourable issue, on discerning the weakness and terror of poor Raynolle, when he found himself yet more vigorously pressed by the reckless young sergeant of dragoons. With features contracted by rage, he finally yielded to the imperious demands of Gerard Darley. A notary was sent for; a legal signature secured; and when Raynolle, according to his previous intention, bore the beautiful Hester from her obscure home, it was as his lawful wife! One only stipulation did the wily financier make on the occasion,-that not a syllable should be suffered to transpire of the mode in which the marriage had been achieved; while his sole act of vengeance upon those of whom he conceived himself the dupe, consisted in a decree that not one of the Darley family should ever set foot within his gates.

Meanwhile the admiration excited in society by the charms of the new beauty, (as Madame Raynolle was universally denominated by the gallants of the court,) almost reconciled her vain-glorious husband to a connection into which he had been forced at the point of the sword. Of her origin nothing was known; and the Financier having been artful enough to make a hurried journey to London previous to placing his beautiful bride at the head of his establishment, Madame Raynolle passed among her husband's friends as a belle milady, whom he had brought back with him from the chartered fatherland of fine horses and fine women.

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Who now so worshipped as the charming wife of the millionaire Fermier Général? Her portrait was on the easel of every artist; her name imparted distinction to every fashionable invention. the indignation of Madame de Pompadour, ribands were tied up inte bows à la Raynolle; chickens stewed à la Raynolle ; pralines crisped à la Raynolle; carriages painted in garlands à la Raynolle; every thing worn, tasted, or displayed at that moment in Paris, was named in honour of the divinity in whose hair flashed a coronet of diamonds surpassing even that of the Queen; and towards whose box at the opera the eyes and acclamations of the whole assembly were directed. Voltaire addressed to her, under the name of Néæra, one of

his choicest odes; and the prettiest of Marmontel's tales was dedicated to the presiding angel of the Place Vendôme.

The Fermier Général was satisfied. Eclat was all he coveted in this world; and his handsome young wife excited as much applause as his statues of Daphne and Chloe by Couston, or the frescos of his dining-room, by Boucher. He saw himself an object of envy, and was content. Already, too, he recognised a kindred spirit in the lovely Hester. Vain and ostentatious, her nature was cold and artificial as his own; and he was indebted to his wife for a thousand cogent suggestions for the advancement of their position in society. The purchase of a princely estate in Languedoc, endowed with privileges of ennoblement, converted them into the Marquis and Marquise of Montméry; the purchase of an office in the royal household entitled them to an entrée at court. In consideration of the fair aspirant after the honours of Versailles, Louis XV. made no opposition; and though certain of the more stiff-necked of the Queen's ladies were indignant at seeing a mere bourgeoise raised to their level, they dared not venture any open demonstrations of displeasure. In the grand monde of Paris, as in the laws of England, Le Roi le veut!' rendered the rule absolute.

On the nights when the fêtes of the new Marquise de Montméry set the windows of her hotel into a blaze, as vast a crowd was collected in the Place Vendôme as in the tumultuous days of John Law. Many among them had witnessed the triumphs of that unprincipled adventurer. At that very window he used to stand, and with fiendish glee survey the poor dupes below, the last livre of whose earnings he was filching!' they would exclaim, pointing to a window of the first floor, from which now issued a dazzling gleam of light, emitted by the brilliant boudoir of the lovely Marquise. Others, turning from the spot, were heard to whisper, The place is doomed! A curse ought to be upon the window whence John Law numbered his victims!'

Instead of a curse, however, a blessing seemed to be on all belonging to the Marquis and Marquise de Montméry. As their prodigality increased their means became doubled. His speculations were uniformly triumphant; till 'lucky as Montméry' became a proverb in the money-market of more than one European city. Fifteen years after the marriage (on the origin of which he no longer suffered a reflection to disturb the harmony of his thoughts,) the Fermier Général was as fast united to his fair Hester by similarity of tastes and pursuits, as he had formerly been by the brilliancy of a complexion, which, sooth to say, was now, like most dazzlingly fair complexions, somewhat on the wane.

The time was now come, indeed, for the Marchioness to experience a similar change in the colour of her fortunes. One evening, about ten years after her marriage, during the absence of her husband, who was inspecting the erection of a splendid conservatory at Draveil, a strange cavalier insisted on forcing his way into her presence with a vehemence not to be withstood by a whole regiment of lacqueys.

Yes, it is I cried Gerard Darley, flinging down his hat on a table of malachite and gold, on finding himself face to face with his proud sister in her luxurious boudoir. 'You are surprised to see me here. You had hoped never to see me again. Ungrateful for the

energy of soul and arm which served to place you in the position you now occupy, you despise your obscure brother; who, trust me, Madam, renders back with interest the contempt of the Marquise de Montméry!'

'You must be aware that the prohibitions of my husbanddame de Montméry was beginning.

Ma

'I have sedulously respected them,' replied Gerard with a bitter sneer. I did not appeal to your opulence when your parents lay dying in misery and neglect. I did not appeal to your affection when your wretched brother, distracted by the loss of his young wife, fell by his own hand, leaving two helpless orphans to my protection. I did not appeal to your pity when one of these poor babes, requiring tenderer aid than could be afforded by its soldier uncle, pined away till it rejoined its parents in the grave. I appeal not to it even now, Madam, though one of the only two on earth in whose veins blood kindred with your own is flowing, stands in urgent need of your protection. But I command it, Hester! I command it in the name of those who gave you life! I command it in the name of that most high GOD who hath called them to himself. I command it in the name of the world's opinion, more influential over your mind than either!' 'What is it you require of me?' faltered the Marchioness, overawed by the resolute sternness of her brother.

'That during my absence in the opening campaign you accord your protection to the orphan daughter of John Darley,' replied Gerard. The camp is not a fit home for a girl of her years and beauty; and where am I to place her, unless where she has a right to be, in the household of her nearest female relative?'

'It is well,' replied Madame de Montméry, coldly. absence my niece shall be duly cared for.'

During your

'I had rather the words were uttered in a more womanly tone,' remonstrated Gerard; nevertheless, I accept the pledge. Hester Darley is now fifteen,-fair and innocent, as was a former Hester Darley at those tender years. Her birth and breeding, though humble, are equal to those of the Marquis de Montméry. She must not be treated as a slave,-she must not be treated as a menial.'

'She shall be treated as my brother's child,' interrupted Hester, eager to bring the interview to a close.

Nay, more. Unendowed with the means of forming a noble alliance, I will not have her thrust into the dissolute circles that frequent this house. Let her dwell in seclusion till my return, when I shall require at your hands an account of her welfare You know me-you are aware that Gerard Darley is not to be trifled with. Let the prosperity of my poor charge allow me nothing to complain of." However irritated by the arrogance of the trooper's tone, Madame de Montm ́ry felt that the best method to keep peace with him was to subscribe to his conditions; and within an hour the young girl, as yet a stranger to her, was deposited under her care. That night young Hester Darley slept under the roof of the Marchioness.

The only comfort to the aunt, on beholding the extraordinary beauty of the girl thus peremptorily committed to her charge, was the injunction of Gerard that she should not figure in the gay society of the Hôtel Montméry. Hester Darley, though presenting an extraordinary resemblance to her aunt and namesake, was a thousand times lovelier than the Marchioness even in her prime. She pos

sessed that transparent fairness rarely seen, unless in persons of English descent, enhanced by a glossy elasticity, which sadly put to shame the faded cheeks of her kinswoman, withered by vigils and dissipation.

'This would never do!' murmured Madame de Montméry, as she noted the resplendent beauty of the timid young girl. I would not that even the Marquis should see me thrown into the shade by this minion. This very day I shall despatch her, under the care of my woman, to the superior at Moret, where, till Gerard's return, she may abide for the completion of her education; and should he fall in the wars, as his headlong rashness renders probable, she may become a permanent inmate of the convent. The good abbess has too many obligations to us not to accept a moderate dowry with a kinswoman of the Marchioness de Montméry.'

On the return of the Marquis from Draveil, the affair was briefly explained to him, when, as usual, he approved of the arrangements of his wife. But he testified little interest in the affair. His faculties were already impaired by the influence of a malady, which in a few weeks' time carried him to the grave, leaving Madame la Marquise sole comptroller of his princely inheritance.

Engrossed by the cares and irritations inseparable from such a charge, Madame de Montméry had scarcely enough leisure to discover the tediousness of a year of widowhood. Though resolved to reappear in the world at its expiration more brilliant than ever, to imbibe anew the incense of poets and flatterers of the court, and, if possi ble, unite herself in second marriage with a man of untarnished blazon and illustrious lineage, she was too much occupied with processes of law, and the comptes rendus of her various intendants, to do more than direct the preparation of an infinity of rich attires and costly suits of jewels, in which she intended to blaze forth on her reappearance at Versailles. Madame de Pompadour's death (which occurred eight months after that of the Marquis) had cleared the way for a thousand ambitious projects on the part of the unprincipled beauties of the court of Louis XV.

Of 'cette jeune Esther,' meanwhile, the ostentatious widow knew no more than was communicated once a quarter by her friend the abbess-namely, that she edified the whole convent by her piety, gentleness, and grace-to say nothing of the divine beauty which, one day or other, would cause strange emotions among the profane; which laudations were, of course, accompanied with the usual claims for the cost of the young lady's maintenance and education. These missives were carefully laid aside by Madame de Montméry, to be exhibited to her severe brother on his return from the army, in evidence of the noble manner in which she had performed her duty to his protégée.

From time to time there arrived a harsh letter from Darley, demanding tidings of his beloved Hester, his nursling, his darling, to which the Marchioness returned a dry and succinct reply. But she saw that there must be no trifling with this stern guardian-that she was deeply accountable to him for the welfare of the girl-and that he was capable of proceeding to the worst extremities to avenge any evil that befell his favourite niece.

What, therefore, was the consternation of Madame de Montméry

when, at the expiration of the fifth quarter of Hester's residence at Moret, and of her own widowhood-just as she was beginning to enjoy with almost more than her former animation the gorgeous festivals of Versailles, and the addresses of a hundred noble adorers, -she was apprized, by the superior of Moret, that Mademoiselle Darley (no longer cette belle Esther!) must be instantly removed from the establishment. In the hope of softening by a gratuity the determination of the Abbess, Madame de Montméry hastened with all speed to Moret; but, alas! only to find her perplexities converted into utter consternation. The gentle, timid Hester, the model of pensionnaires, had disgraced the convent-her family-herself! Permitted by the indulgence of the partial abbess, to accompany the noble family of one of her companions to a royal rendezvous de chasse held within half a league of Moret, during the sojourn of the court at Fontainbleau, Hester, on the second day of the fêtes, had disappeared from her friends-had been forty-eight hours absent-and at length made her way on foot to the gates of the convent, in such a plight as to render her reception a matter of grace on the part of the abbess. To these humiliating statements, and the bursts of fury from the Marchioness which succeeded, poor Hester, pale and motionless as a statue, replied only by an almost unconscious assertion that she was married that time would bring her innocence to light -in confirmation of which she showed on her finger a diamond ring of considerable value. Her two judges were startled. They saw at once that she had fallen a victim to some bold and practised seducer of the court. But neither persuasions nor menaces could extract from the lips of the young girl further avowals, further expla nation. So public, meanwhile, had been the scandal, that the abbess persisted in her refusal to retain her pensionnaire: and, sorely against her will, the Marchioness was forced to convey back the humbled delinquent to the Hôtel Montméry.

A secluded chamber was now assigned to Hester. The Marchioness decided that the disgrace of the recent event could only be obliterated by an immediate marriage; and nothing was easier than for the rich widow to secure by a sufficient dowry an alliance suitable to the modest pretensions of her niece. She even commenced negotiations with the intendant of her Languedoc estates for the hand of his son; and finally signified to Hester, that unless the unknown seducer, whose name she refused to disclose, presented himself within two months to claim her as his wife, she must give her hand to Alexis Duval. Madame de Montméry trembled at the mere apprehension of Gerard's return, till the clearing up of a mystery so dishonourable to his beloved niece.

Meanwhile nothing could exceed the wretchedness of the unhappy Hester. Her obstinacy in refusing to disclose the name of him whom she regarded as her plighted husband arose, in truth, from ignorance of his title. In offering himself as her protector, when separated from her party by the crowd assembled in the gardens of the palace of Fontainbleau, to witness a feu d'artifice in honour of the king's arrival, he had described himself as one of the royal household; and, on her ingenuous avowal of her own name and situation, had declared himself to be an intimate acquaintance of the Marquise de Montméry. Confiding in this assurance, the poor