Joanna, hearing that Hovingham was in his morning-room, gently knocked at the door, and was admitted. Upon entering, she saw Frank still intensely occupied with the foreign letter.

"Read this," Hovingham exclaimed, "and explain the meaning. Who is this fellow Louis Cambesi alias Paul Guidotti, alias Count Guidotti, who dares thus to address me?"

Joanna took the letter; it ran as follows:

fee

"At our last interview you extracted a promise from me that I would not again ask for assistance; nothing but dire necessity compels me to address you again. I am now incarcerated in prison, and require funds to my counsel to extricate me from the fangs of the law. Supplied with means, I shall be able to prove my innocence, for the forgery of which I am accused was perpetrated by another. When I freed you from your solemn vow, made at Albano, I considered

myself entitled to some compensation; this you granted me. A thousand francs is the sum required, an order for which I trust you. will send to Monsieur Fergus O'Lachlin, Poste Restante, Boulogne-sur-Mer.

"M. O'Lachlin, who writes this letter on my behalf, has kindly consented to see me through my difficulties. Not knowing your address, I enclose this to Lord Hovingham to forward to you.

"Prison,

66

Signed by me,

"LOUIS CAMBESI.

"Boulogne-sur-Mer."

Agony, the dread of discovery, filled Joanna's breast with dismay, while the voice of Hovingham again asking her to explain and clear up the mystery struck like daggers upon her heart.

66

Forgive, oh! forgive me if I am silent; I will one day explain all. I am not to blame. As you love me, ask me no questions now; I am innocent."

At this declaration Hovingham stamped with his foot until the very walls seemed to shake; his indignation, his passion, carried him beyond all bounds. He clenched his fist, every threat of vengeance burst from his mouth against the man who had dared thus to sully the reputation of one he loved so much.

At last the storm of passion was exhausted, and it settled down into a calm.

"As for money to save that wretch, I would as soon chop off my hand as sign an order for it. But I'll consult Sharpness."

"Take my advice, dear Frank, and leave me to answer the wretch. If once the affair gets talked about my reputation would suffer. Think no more of this odious letter. We must forget all about it, Franky. It refers to a poor young friend of mine, who has bound me to keep her secret."

"Perhaps you are right," responded the weak Hovingham, who was so deeply infatuated with his cousin that he could not bring himself to believe anything detrimental to her.

Joanna, with a forced smile said

"Let us be happy again. I will show you the answer I will send. Who could believe the world to be so wicked!"

She certainly did show Lord Hovingham an answer, in which she treated Louis's threats-regarding her friend, who was now beyond his reach-with scorn and as the raving of a madman; but that letter was committed to the flames. The answer she sent was an order for as much money out of her savings as she could lay her hand

upon.

CHAPTER V.

Where Kensington, high o'er the neighbouring lands,
Midst greens and sweets, a royal fabric stands,
And sees each spring luxuriant in her bowers,

A snow of blossoms, and a wild of flowers,
The dames of Britain oft in crowds repair

To gravel walks, and unpolluted air;

Here while the town in damps and darkness lies,
They breathe in sunshine, and see azure skies.

TICKELL.

THE Hovinghams had come to London for Mrs. Clarendon's bal masque, and as Mr. Melvill, who was suffering from severe indisposition, wished to be near his doctor, he and his ward had taken possession of their house in Harley Street. This threw Joanna and Hovingham constantly together; for, under the plea of enquiring after Mr. Melvill's. health, he was a constant daily visitor at his house.

Before leaving Riversdale he had, un