after several fruitlefs attempts to conciliate the exafperated fpirit of his fatherin-law, retired from town with his young and lovely wife to a fmall paternal estate which he poffeffed in Yorkshire, that was rendered peculiarly agreeable by its contiguity to the extenfive demefne and fplendid manfion of the Honourable Mr. Fitz-horton; the latter was about thirty years of age, elegant in perfon, infinuating in his manners, and remarkable for his hofpitality and affable demean our, Such was his wordly character, but different, very different were his real principles. Hackneyed in the paths of feduction and vice, he confidered religion with contempt, although he fometimes yielded to its external forms; he was was ever ready to punish rigoroufly the culprit who was caught shooting a bird on his demefne, although two acquaintances had fallen by his hand in that licensed murder, duelling. During Mr. Lenox's refidence at Oatlands, Fitz-horton had always distinguifhed him with the most attentive politeness; and on Mrs. Lenox's presenting her husband with a fon, offered himself as fponfor, which was gratefully accepted. Fitz-horton's frequent vifits to Oatlands, under pretence of vifiting his god-fon, at length began to be noticed through the neighbourhood, but the general efteem which Mrs. Lenox juftly claimed at that period, prevented any credit to be attached to these reports. One One day Lenox, having bufinefs to tranfact with a gentleman who lived fome miles diftant, rode out, but not finding him at home, returned earlier than he intended; as he came flowly up the little avenue which led to his house, he was furprised to fee Fitz-horton hurrying through the garden, and, climbing over the wall, walk haftily towards his own park; a momentary fufpicion arose in his mind at a circumftance fo unexpected, but fufpicion is never the welcome inmate of a candid heart, and Lenox haftily banished the painful intruder. On entering the parlour he beheld his wife feated on a fofa with little Henry by her fide; her eyes feemed red and fwoln with weeping. Every veftige of unkindnefs died in his bofom at the fight: "What A 5 "What has happened to difcompofe you, my Clara ?" he demanded tenderly. Nothing particular; I have "been in low fpirits all day."-" Was "Fitz-horton here fince my departure?" "No," faid fhe, vainly endeavouring to conceal a deep blufh that crimsoned her face at this queftion; a negative fo unexpected astonished him, but as he never had cause to question her veracity, he made no farther inquiry. "Lionel," faid Mrs. Lenox, the next morning, "I must go to York to-day; "I want to purchase fome articles of "dress for the enfuing race-ball.” "And cannot I accompany you, Clara?" No, I fhall dine with my old school "will be only a female party." A high flush that feemed more the effect of mental confufion than the clear fhade of natural complexion, fuffufed her cheek as he handed her into the carriage; he thought she never before looked fo beautiful.-" You did not kifs me, mamma," faid little Henry, looking wifhfully in her face-she pulled the fide glass up without replying and drove off. About four o'clock the chaife returned empty. Why did you not wait for your mif"trefs, John?" faid Lenox, furprised. ་་ My mistress ordered me to return, fir,” replied the poftillion, " as fhe propofed coming home in Mrs. Barton's coach." For the whole evening Lenox was tortured with the most diftreffing uneasiness, which increased to agony when twelve o'clock arrived without any tidings of A 6 Clara. |