drawing her arm within his own, as they quitted the conservatory.

Why was it that Annie felt for the moment, painfully surprised at his ready acquiescence? She fancied he would have detained her for one more affectionate word at least, before they joined the rest of the circle. Before the morrow of departure, should she see him alone again?

Lord Deloraine, with his usual penetration, was at no loss to divine what had occurred; his son's attentions were as prononcée as he could wish, and the blush still lingering on the cheek of his betrothed, testified to the pleasure with which she received them.

"My dear Sir John," said the peer on the following morning, as they sat together in the library of the ex-merchant, "I am delighted to hear from my son of the kind way in which you have received his proposals; poor fellow, of course, like all young men in love, he is most desperately anxious for the time to come when he may call upon you to fulfil your promise. For my own part I shall gladly welcome a young lady, of whom I think so highly, into my family circle, and the society which she is so well calculated to adorn."

"I believe what your lordship says,” replied the ex-merchant, profoundly touched with his

noble visitor's condescension, and the magnificent destiny which appeared in store for his daughter; "and Annie, I am sure, will prove herself worthy of your regard,-I, my lord, shall regret losing her deeply an only child," and the father's voice faltered, "is all in all to her parents; but it will be, I trust, for her happiness, and I have always been prepossessed in favour of Captain Thornton

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Ah, my dear sir," interrupted his lordship, with a well-timed burst of parental enthusiasm,

Harry is worthy of your good opinion; he is positively idolized among his friends, and will surround his wife with every advantage that affection, and a position in the élite of society can bestow."

"Pardon me, my lord," said the worthy exmerchant, with a certain embarrassment, and hesitation in his manner, as if doubting whether pounds, shillings, and pence could be talked of to a nobleman; "pardon me, my lord, but as

you

have so generously intimated your intention of giving up Castle-Deloraine to the young couple, I have thought it right to make some provision, that is (confoundedly long, the old fellow is in bringing it out, thought his auditor,) my solicitors, Messrs. Simpkins, have received my

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orders to settle an income of thirty thousand a year on them for their joint——”

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My dear Sir John," interrupted his lordship, as soon as he had caught the essence of his speech, and waving his hand with a magnificent air, as if altogether repudiating the topic; "I am amply satisfied with every arrangement on that head: it is not the prospect of mere wealth which affords me such satisfaction-what is money, my dear sir, compared with the bliss of domestic happiness, and the pleasure of seeing our children united according to the dictates of their hearts ?”

The worthy ex-merchant felt overwhelmed with this eloquent peroration, as he endeavoured to frame a suitable reply to the almost sublime and elevated sentiments of his noble companion; but he was spared, at least for the present, that difficulty. A footman announced that his lordship's travelling carriage was waiting ready packed at the door; and shortly afterwards, Lord Deloraine and his son made their adieus to the circle assembled within the mansion, and were on the road to town.

It had been arranged, principally through Lord Deloraine, that the wedding should take place within a fortnight from the date of the engagement; as no obstacle existed to the marriage, and

some time had elapsed since the lovers first became known to each other. Till then, we will take our leave of the bride-elect, and return to her less fortunate, and unconscious rival.

CHAPTER X.

ELLEN'S DIARY.-CONTINUED.

"SEPTEMBER 22nd.-My husband has returned, but alas! even more reserved and distant than he was before. He has given me no particulars of his late visit, or the reason of his protracted stay. On the contrary, he appears to shun the subject, as if fearing my enquiries; and all my former doubts and apprehensions are revived with redoubled force in my mind. Can he doubt the strength of my affection after the sacrifices which I have made for him? or that there remains one which I would not make to banish a cloud from his brow, or a difficulty from his path, if it could only bring back our past happiness?

"September 23rd.—Is this man deceiving me? or, alas! let me say with more truth, have I not