"No mortal footing treads so firm in virtue, As always to abide the slipp'ry path, Nor deviate from the bias."

"To triumph is to fly the tempter," said the marquis, rising from his chair:-"The conscious heart may feel my allusion the ear of curiosity cannot be benefitted by the tale. Good night!" and he quitted the apartment.

Antonia resisted every importunity levelled by art or insinuation, and carefully treasuring the secret of Mary in her bosom felt a relief when she exchanged the noisy mirth of the banquetting room for the solitude of her own chamber.

CHAP. VII.

THE wind whistled among the ivy, and the owlet hooted from the dilapidated cloisters as the carriage drove over the portcullis of St. Antholine's. High and heavy walls nearly surrounded it, and the hollow roar of the ocean, breaking sullenly against the chalky cliffs, added a contrast grand and awful to the light and modern ele gance of the Grange. This antique residence wants but the fertile imagery of fancy to restore its primeval splendour," said Lord Carberry, as he assisted Antonia in alighting. "Really, as we see the moon reflecting on the arches in this direction we may almost picture yon monumental tablet to be the pale form of a sister spirit, mourn

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ing its devastation.” "I see no spirit but the spirit of melancholy," said the Duchess of Delaware. "Heaven knows it is a well-chosen spot for matrimony, for its aspect is clad in the dismals!"

Lady Geraldine laughed and passed on; while Antonia, wrapt in contemplation, almost fancied herself restored to St. Eustacia-almost fancied she heard the sacred harmony of the mellow pealed organ, rising in full swell with the plaintive voices of the holy sisters. "Hail, blessed sanctuary of peace!" she murmured, as her radiant eyes were fixed on heaven-asylum to the unfortunate-security to the oppressed -balm to the wretched!" She perceived not that the party had departed; she remembered not that Italy was no longer her abiding place, until Lord Carberry, in a voice of tender softness, exclaimed-Fancy it Udolpho, my lovely enthusiast, and substitute me a

Valencourt." Antonia started-she looked eagerly around, the delusive veil of fancy was withdrawn, and St. Antheline's, bold, bleak, irregular, stood before her.

"Did he forswear

his vows?" she innocently interrogated, not having read that much admired production. "Did he forget

her he was bound to cherish, and lose his sense of duty in the pursuits of pleasure?" "No, no," answered Carberry; "he was the slave of no worldly form, he was unshackled, at liberty to choose, at liberty to proclaim to the universe her his heart had selected.” Where then is the similarity?" questioned Antonia, turning reproach"I see it not.” " Too plain I see it, too plain I feel it," mournfully returned the earl: "Valencourt adored Emily-I adore Antonia."

fully away.

She cast on him a look of offended pride, of indignant virtue, and moved

hastily towards the entrance, hurt at having so incautiously lingered behind the party, and thus exposed herself to insult.

Stay, stay, Miss Forrester," he exclaimed: "blame that peerless form, that peerless face-remember Paradise was lost by human frailty, and could I regain it, again should it be lost for you. Stay then, and hear me; you are" What, my lord?" archly questioned Lady Selina, who had approached them unperceived.

welcome!" said Antonia.

"Most

"Does

your lordship join in the declaration?" resumed Lady Selina, extending to him her hand.

He could not reject the pledge; he forced a smile, but his cheek flushed scarlet, for a bracelet encircled her arm, whose clasp, within a halo of diamonds, contained the portrait of his countess. "What think you of the likeness?" she continued" it is ap