his brother, who walked up and down the hall, sipping his coffee at intervals, and having very much the air of a soldier who would retreat if he could.

Any great change is like cold water in winter -one shrinks from the first plunge; and a lover may be excused who shivers a little at the transmigration into a husband. It is a different case with the lady-she has always been brought up with the idea of being married-moreover, she must be very much taken up with her blonde-and, to conclude, a woman gains her liberty, but a man loses his.

Edward was the only one of the party sufficiently unoccupied to appreciate the propriety and the picturesque of the scene. Lord Lauriston, watching his lady in evident trepidation lest his conduct should not meet her approbation-Lord Merton, obviously tired of the forms, but subsiding into patience as he met his mother's eye-Mr. Stanbury, with a face full of congratulations and a mouth full of jokes, all equally checked by Lady Lauriston's glance-she, all dignified quiet, only touched by a most maternal sadness at parting with her daughter-and the daughter herself, no

thing could be more perfect, whether in dress or demeanour.

After much hesitation, and consideration of the will yet unwritten, the property at his own disposal, Lady Lauriston consented that Adelaide should be married with her head uncovered. "No girl," said Mr. Stanbury, "in his time ever wore one of those frightful huge bonnets ;" and it was finally arranged that his niece should not. A dress of the most delicate white silk, made open so as to display the collerette beneath, so favourable to the display of her exquisitely turned neck-the small ruff that encircled her slender throat, which rose white and graceful as the swan's - the beautiful hair, which descended in light ringlets like a summer shower, every drop filled with sunshine, whose profusion was restrained, not concealed, by the wreath of orange flowers; —and the blonde veil that fell to her feet.

She entered clinging timidly to her father's arm, and knelt in an attitude perfectly inimitable before the altar, while, from one of the painted windows of the little chapel, the most exquisite rose tint fell over her figure; it was as if her own rich blush had coloured the

atmosphere around. Her voice, throughout the whole response, was quite inaudible—just a whisper fairy music; and, after the ceremony, she leant on her husband's arm with an air so different from that with which she had leant on her father's-she clung to the one, while she seemed to shrink from the other gradually, however, drawing towards him, as if for support. When the rest crowded round with their congratulations, Edward felt greatly inclined to laugh as he offered his: their eyes met, and he was convinced the bride smothered a smile too; but whether the smile was mirth or triumph, would have been a difficult question to decide.

We must not forget the bridemaids, who were selected with as much judgment as the rest young, pretty, well calculated to set off the scene, but slight and brunettes, they were admirably calculated also to set off the height and fairness of Lady Adelaide.

The breakfast was as stupid as such breakfasts usually are. The bride is all timidity— the parents sorry, of course, to lose their sweet child and the bridegroom is a non-entity. Lady Etheringhame changed her dress, and looked almost lovelier still in her travelling

costume. She was now overwhelmed with affliction. Lady Lauriston implored Algernon to watch over the happiness of the dearest of her children. Adelaide was almost borne to the carriage-her mother retired to her own room, overcome with her feelings-and Edward thought it very ungrateful that the audience did not rise and clap the performance.

CHAPTER VIII.

"Blessings be with them and eternal praise,
Who gave us nobler loves and nobler cares;
The poets, who on earth have made us heirs
Of truth and pure delight by heavenly lays."
WORDSWORTH.

EMILY'S time was now passing most pleasantly she had been solitary enough during winter to give society that advantage of contrast which does so much towards teaching the full value of any thing; she had just enough of annoyance from her aunt to make her feel thankful that she was not more exposed to it. She became attached to Lady Mandeville, with all the enjoyment and warmth of youthful affection that age when we are so happy in loving those around us. Many sources of enjoyment were laid open; and the future seemed as promising as those futures always are which we make for ourselves.