I heard of Mr. Gerald Lindor. Every one had read his book: no one had seen the author. He might have been a 'lion' in society, yet he strictly maintained his seclusion."

แ Quite right," said Lady Veneer. “It is at least gratifying to find that this misguided and wicked young man, is not altogether devoid of shame, and very properly hides himself; and it says very little for the present state of society, that it courts such a person," "You are mistaken, aunt, if you fancy that shame had anything to do with it. Mr. Lindor has an unconquerable aversion to society. If you but knew the life he has led! He was expelled college for writing an infidel pamphlet at the age of seventeen. contributed a series of poems to a Chartist P paper, which had the effect of stirring up the people almost to revolt, and he actually came down to Littleton as a Chartist delegate; persisted in addressing the mob in spite of the

He

mayor's orders to disperse; and was severely wounded in an encounter with the military, while leading on the rioters."

"Why, this young man must be a fiend incarnate. Why was he not transported?"

แ Ah, dear aunt, so young. He was only eighteen when this happened."

"What!" cried Lady Veneer, with a look of the most virtuous indignation. "do I hear you, my niece, express sympathy with an infidel, a Chartist, a ringleader of rebels !"

"Dear aunt, you have yet to hear the strangest part of my confession, I shared in the general curiosity to see this young man. As his portrait indicates, he is marvellously handsome."

"Handsome is that handsome does.' If his whole nature is depraved, his personal beauty is only a delusion and a snare."

"Ah, aunt, only reflect, young, beautiful, and brave; I tried to remember that his principles were totally opposed to Religion and order. In vain. He was so cold, so indiffe

rent to the beautiful women who surrounded him, and hung upon the music of his lips (for when he chose he could enchant his audience), that I confess I felt eager, for the first time in my life, to make a conquest. Stay, dear aunt, hear me out. I hope I was actuated by another and higher motive than mere coquetry—to bring back this erring genius to the path of Duty; to reconcile the prodigal son with his father whom he has deeply offended; to restore him to his country; to enlist his remarkable abilities in the service of our political party; to make him an orthodox member of reform and regene

our Church; in short to

rate Gerald Lindor, the

chartist, the sceptic,

the republican! What a triumph for me! Well, aunt, I hardly dare to make the admission, but I greatly fear, in trying to engage his heart, I have lost my own."

For a minute, Lady Veneer looked at her niece, unable to find words to express her horror at what she had heard. At length she exclaimed in a shrill tone, "What, Augusta,

you dare to tell me that you love an Atheist, a Chartist, a Republican! Lost, infatuated girl! And yet, you are a Welborne ! "

"Dear aunt, have you forgotten that you were once young? Mr. Lindor has character; he is brave; he may yet become all that is amiable and worthy."

"An Atheist and a Chartist! never child, never! Augusta, you really take away my breath with astonishment! Can it be possible that you, my brother's daughter, you, the direct representative of the Welborne family, you, who will one day be a peeress in your own right, with your splendid education, with your capital opportunities of forming almost a princely connection-is it credible that you can have cast your eyes upon this low-born adventurer ?"

There, aunt, you are mistaken. I have not yet told you all. His father's estate joins ours. When children, we played together, and I distinctly remember one day we were

told to kiss each other, for that we should be married when we grew up. For many years as a girl I considered myself as actually betrothed to Gerald Lindor."

"Oh, the young man is respectably connected! Actually betrothed in childhood you say? Why have I heard this now for the first time? Ah, I see; my brother, the Earl, naturally abandoned all idea of the alliance, when Mr. Lindor developed his detestable propensities, and of course, did not wish it to be known that he had ever contemplated such a thing. I have often said that your father was a little too fond of secresy, but this would account perhaps for his silence even to me. Doubtless he has often congratulated himself that you escaped a union with such a man."

"Perhaps he has ; yet is it not a pity, aunt? an old family, certainly not to be compared to ours in age, but still of unblemished descent, and baronets from the time of Cromwell!