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nature the power of effecting in centuries, what the pigeon-fancier and cattle-breeder can do in a few years. It is only man's foolish pride, and his absurd ideas of his own importance, which are offended at the idea of relationship with the lower animals."

This was a specimen of the way the doctor and Gerald argued for hours. But the doctor, though worsted in logic, always came back to his old assertion, "The man who believes that men are developed from monkeys is mad." Indignant at Gerald for slighting his book and preferring his own opinion, the doctor declared that mad Gerald was-and mad he should be-until he abandoned his theory of the development of monkeys into men. Thus, between Theology and Science, Gerald was fairly entrapped by these mad doctors!

Let us now leave him for the present, and return to Miriam.

CHAPTER VII.

VIRTUE AND VICE.

COVERT had no sooner seen the first success of his plot, than he dispatched a note to Lady Veneer, informing her that Gerald would remain under a gentle restraint in the house of his father, who was acting under the advice of two eminent London physicians; and that as soon as he (Covert) could be spared from the Hall, he would return to London to arrange with Miriam, so as to prevent her from being an obstacle in their way. He requested that Lady Augusta might not be informed of the means used to withdraw Gerald from

sence.

London, naturally fearing that her love for Gerald might cause her to interfere, when she knew under what plea he was confined. All this showed Mr. Covert's foresight, but he had not bargained for any steps which might be taken by the interested parties, during his abHe never for a moment dreamed, that Lady Veneer would in any way interfere personally, in his machinations to separate permanently Gerald and Miriam. But the most skilful diplomatist may be defeated and compromised, by the unforeseen rashness of his colleagues or subordinates. Lady Veneer was a busy-body, and entertained a very high idea of the tact of great ladies in general, and her own tact in particular. She had misgivings of the confidential nature of the relations she had opened with Covert, and it occurred to her, that it would be an excellent stroke of policy, to shew him that she was independent of his advice, and could bring the matter to a successful termination, without his further assistance. Then, there were other

upon

motives. Believing herself to be a bulwark of virtue and christianity, as well as of fashion, she persuaded herself that it was her duty! to call Miriam. Were there no other motives which this excellent religious lady did not admit to herself? Had she no curiosity to see what "this misguided young woman, this creature" was like? Had she no desire to be a personal spectator of Miriam's humiliation; to look down upon the agony and

shame of an erring sister, from the height of her own perfection and propriety, with the calmness of a naturalist watching the torture of an impaled beetle, or Professor Majendie, when placidly addressing the spaniel he was dissecting alive, "Taisez-vous, taisez-vous, petite?" Or possibly, regarding Miriam as a mercenary female adventurer, a bad woman, she gave her no credit for feelings.

So Lady Veneer wrote back to Mr. Covert, that he need not hasten his return to London, for that she herself would see Miriam, and make all the necessary arrangements for pre

venting any renewal of her improper intimacy with Gerald. Covert replied in a rather hastily written, and peremptory note, requesting her ladyship on no account to call on Miriam, or take any steps in the matter till she saw him. Lady Veneer was very much offended at the style of this note, and only more determined to carry out her original intention, which accordingly, she communicated in a few curt lines, written in the third person, to Covert; who had no resource but to submit to this interference with his plans. Though disgusted at the self-sufficiency of "the old harridan," he consoled himself as best he could, with the hope that no serious mischief might result from the interview; and that Lady Veneer would be "paid off" by Miriam for her officiousness. And in spite of his annoyance, he felt not a little curious to learn how Lady Veneer would effect her object, so pompously and confidently announced, of bringing the misguided young person to a proper sense of her position; position; for Covert had studied his

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