know, that in this respect all the men are alike, however specious an appearance of innocence they may present to the world. I can see plainly how much you love Mr. Lindor, since you are actually blind to his faults when so glaringly displayed. You saw him last night, tête-à-tête with a passable young female in a stage box, and yet you can doubt as to what that person is."

"Oh what would I give to know the truth. Yet, if it be as you say, I ought to summon my womanly pride to my aid, and think no more of a man, who, while undertaking to instruct and reform the world; while writing of love with such exquisite purity, can practically sink to such an abyss of sensuality."

"Not so, my precious, you must be magnanimous and forgive. This also, is one of those faults which you will find among many others, to correct in your future husband, and the sooner you wean him from a disreputable liaison, by the treasure of true love, the better. Trust me, my dear, I understand the men. If

we women all refused a man, unless he were like us in this respect, the world would be full of old maids. Ah, if you had only known what a shocking false man the late Colonel Veneer was!"

CHAPTER III.

MR. COVERT COMES TO THE RESCUE.

THE Conversation recorded in the last chapter, made a deep impression on Lady Augusta. She had no mother of whom to take counsel, and her mind was just of that calibre, to be persuaded by her aunt's worldly-wise advice. Alternately, she burned with curiosity to learn who her rival was, and trembled with apprehension, lest Gerald should have contracted a private marriage. Although she tried to persuade herself of what she wished, that Miriam was only a thing to be despised, she already hated her; her love for Gerald

hitherto latent, though strong, now burst into a fierce flame, fanned by jealousy. Her pride was hurt at the idea of this obstacle to her will. She pleased herself in nursing the fancy, that there was something grand and sublime in her readiness to overlook Gerald's faults, and her magnanimous resolve to rescue and reform him. Already she regarded herself as in some degree a heroine, and martyr, and believed herself to be actuated by a regard for principle and duty, when she was in fact a slave to inclination.

When, therefore, the intelligent reader recollects all the circumstances of the case, and adds to the motives already enumerated, Gerald's genius and beauty, the many conquests he had unconsciously made in society -and the caprice of a woman of fashion, (forbidden by the conventionalities of her rank, that full and wholesome exercise of the sentiments, and affections; and occupation of the intellectual faculties permissible in a humbler sphere,) the infatuation of Lady Augusta Wel

borne will be at least intelligible, and may not appear so extraordinary.

At length she ceased to struggle with her conscience. Urged by her worldly adviser, Lady Veneer, she devoted herself with all her woman's wit, to make Gerald Lindor her husband. In order to achieve this object, the first step was to learn all about Miriam. Lady Veneer suggested that they should engage the services of Mr.Covert, who, as the cousin of Gerald, might be of valuable assistance. Lady Augusta had already thought more than once of this, but her pride had hitherto enabled her to repulse the idea of condescending to make a confidant of her father's secretary and domestic chaplain.

Hitherto, indeed, she had treated Mr. Covert with marked hauteur, in consequence of his evincing a tendency to presume on his position, by addressing to Lady Augusta, compliments which, coming from a dependent on her father's bounty, whom she regarded somewhat in the light of an upper servant, she looked upon