"I begged, as you requested, that my friend Mr. Ferguson would make a charge, as in the way of business, for his trouble in this affair. Within you have his account, showing the net proceeds of the draft, and the balance in my favour. That balance is to your credit with me. Hoping that this business may have been conducted to your satisfaction, I remain, dear sir,

Your obedient servant,
"JAMES LANGSTON.

"New-York, June 1, 1820."

"To Messrs. Bell and Brothers, Merchants, Liverpool.

"GENTLEMEN,

“A draft drawn by Edward Montague, Esq., for one thousand dollars, was this day presented, and paid by us in pursuance of your standing instructions.

"We have accordingly drawn on you in favour of Mr. James Langston of this city, for a corresponding amount.

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We remain, gentlemen,

"Your obedient servants,
"TOMPKINS & TODD.

"New-York, March 9, 1820."

"To Edward Raby, Esq., of Raby Hall, Northum

"SIR,

berland.

"The draft of Messrs. Tompkins and Todd, on

account of Mr. Montague's annuity, is to hand, and has been duly honoured.

"We have this day drawn on you for the amount, in favour of Mr. John Ferguson, of this place. Hoping that it may be quite convenient to you to meet the draft, and begging a continuance of your favours, we remain, sir,

"With great respect,

"Your most obedient
"humble servants,

"Liverpool, April 10, 1820."

"BELL & BROTHERS.

CHAPTER V.

The grief assumed compelled her to be kind,
For he would proof of plighted kindness crave,
That she resented first, and then forgave;
And to his grief and penance yielded more
Than his presumption had required before.

CRABBE.

"You see," said Balcombe," by the dates, that this is a recent transaction. It is not long since I received the papers, and I was casting about to devise some means of opening a communication with you, when Providence threw you in my way. I say Providence, because, though I am not quite so superstitious as Montague, who worships the devil, and calls him God, I do believe in a special providence, and look upon such coincidences as providential and ominous of good. But tell meHow came Montague to leave Virginia?"

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"I cannot answer that question with certainty; but there were those who could not be persuaded that all was right, and they looked coldly on him. His circumstances were certainly improved; but this, as I understand, was rather discovered by others than displayed by him. He was less engaged in business, but had more money,

He never finessed so

and was more at his ease. deep, as to affect any embarrassment or difficulty, but seemed rather desirous to glide into a place among the first gentlemen of the country. The earliest manifestation of this disposition was the signal for a distinct and marked exclusion. He was made to understand at once that he was not of their order; and even with the poorer classes, and the very negroes, (you know their unerring instinct in these matters,) he could never pass for more than what Paddy calls a half-mounted gentleman.'

"And what became of poor Mary Scott?" "Ah! were you aware of that matter?"

"Yes, from the first. I could never be said to be in the fellow's confidence, for I would not have accepted it but circumstances made me privy to it from the very commencement of his amour. Indeed I did not suppose it had ever become public, and, in asking the question, thought I might be giving you a hint of something new to you. But let me tell you all I know, and you shall give me the sequel. We must look narrowly into this matter. Men, as versatile in wickedness as Montague, sometimes find one crime the avenger of another; and my knowledge of the parties has inspired me with a hope, that it is in that very quarter that light is to break out, and disclose the villany of which you have been the victim.

"You must understand, then, that when I left college in 1805, your grandfather, seeking, with his accustomed delicacy to disguise a benefit, con

ferred under the semblance of a favour received, pretended that it would be to his interest for me to reside a while at his estate on Rappahannock. There was a fine old house there, somewhat decayed; there were old supernumerary house servants, who were never permitted to labour in the field; there was a tolerable supply of oldfashioned furniture; and, above all, there were a great many good old books, which, added to my little modern library, afforded the means of profitable employment of my time. In truth, there was nothing for me to do but to study; and I must have been a dunce indeed if I had not seen that I was put there for my good. The place was admirably adapted to the plan. The vast extent of the estate placed me in the centre of a wide solitude. I could hardly be said to have any neighbours; and was, therefore, not tempted to dissipation. The necessary exercise with my gun afforded me healthful and abundant recreation; and, as I had every opportunity, so I had every disposition to improve myself. To have done otherwise would have been a base abuse of unmerited kindness. I was exposed to one only danger; and from that Montague saved me. I suppose I ought to thank him, and, in due season, I will try to show my gratitude in the proper manner.

"The poor girl, of whom we speak, was the overseer's daughter. He lived in one of those secondary houses, which so often form a part of our old establishments. Drawing his supplies from