And of Lady Albert Wittingham

Oh! formed by Nature, and refin'd by Art,
With charms to win, and sense to fix the heart!
"Creature of Impulse," Fancy's fairest child,
How sweet to listen to such "wood-notes wild."
Thou can embellish Fiction's wildest theme,
And realise th' inspired poet's dream.

He wound up with rather an unmerited a compliment to the singing of "Tom Bowling," and Hovingham's bonhommie, concluding with modestly including himself and the author in Corneille's lines

Le reste ne vaut pas l'honneur détre nommée.

At length the important evening arrived, when, after the usual bustle of showing the audience to their seats, the overture was played, and the curtain rose. Everything went off very well, until towards the close of the performance, when an untoward event occurred. The company came forward to sing the National Anthem, and Lady Albert had just finished her solo when a volume of smoke was seen to issue from the back of the stage; in a few seconds that part of the

building was enveloped in flames. The audience rushed to the doors, those on the stage followed, but the confusion was so great, and the cries for help so piercing, that many must have been trampled to death had not Lord Albert, in a tone showing that he had been accustomed to command, called upon all to retire in order. This was accordingly done, and happily attended without any serious damage to the affrighted visitors. In the meantime Harry Northam, who was the last to quit his post, heard the scream of a female proceeding from the back of the stage, and it instantly flashed across his mind that Miss Clifford, who was suffering from headache, had not joined in the National Anthem. Rushing wildly to the door of the green room, where he had last. seen her, a sight presented itself that harrowed his very soul. Extended on the floor, the room densely filled with smoke, flames issuing from all parts of it, lay a female form which he immediately recognised as that of his beloved Sophia. Making his way

through every obstacle, he raised her up, and bore her in his arms through the increasing raging element. A piece of timber to which the "flies" were attached, struck him a heavy blow upon the arm, but regardless of the pain it caused, he bore his precious burthen safely through the building, and with the aid of Lady Albert and others. placed her on her sofa, where she was soon restored to consciousness.

Fortunately some engines were at hand, and thanks to the exertions of the guests and domestic servants, the fire was got under. Upon inspecting the building the following morning it was found that the walls were not damaged, a large portion of the scenery alone being destroyed.

The fire originated through the carelessness of a scene shifter, who incautiously left a candle burning close to some wood shavings at the back of the stage, and when the curtain drew up for the company to sing "God Save the Queen," the current of air caused, an ignition which soon spread with

frightful rapidity. The entire audience were so overcome with nervousness that they took leave of Mrs. Clarendon and retired to their own homes, those in the house eagerly sought their rooms to meditate with gratitude on their providential escape.

more

Captain Northam's accident was severe than it was at first considered to be; fortunately the medical man that attended. the Priory was one of the visitors, under whose care the sufferer was placed. As Northam was about to retire for the night, a note was placed in his hands

"To you I am indebted for my life; accept the grateful thanks of yours most sincerely devoted,

"SOPHIA."

This produced even a more beneficial effect upon the patient than the remedies Doctor Parkhurst had prescribed.

CHAPTER II.

Meanwhile, new pastimes for the eye,
The ear, the fancy quick succeed.'

MOORE.

THE Amateur Theatricals had created so great a sensation in the country, that Mrs. Clarendon felt a longing disposition to renew them in her Bryanstone Square Mansion, during the London season, but the suggestion was vehemently opposed by her daughters, who pointed out the difficulties that would attend such a performance. The drawingroom, though large, was not suited for a theatre, as there was no way of getting to the stage except through the body of the room; then there was the damage that would be done to the walls.