family, this appeared very improbable, and she could not help suspecting, that love for the sister, rather than friendship for the brother, was the real motive by which he was actuated. In a half jesting manner she mentioned her suspicions to Lady Emily, who treated the idea with her usual ridicule.

I really could not have supposed you so extremely missy-ish, Mary," said she, "as to imagine, that because two people like each other's society, and talk, and laugh together a little more than usual, that they must needs be in love! I believe Charles Lennox loves me much the same as he did eleven years ago, when I was a little wretch, that used to pull his hair, and spoil his watch. And as for me, you know that I consider myself quite as an old woman-at least as a married one; and he is perfectly au fait to my engagement with Edward. I have even shewn him his picture, and some of his letters.".

Mary looked incredulous.

"You may think as you please, but I tell you it is so. In my situation, I should scorn to have Colonel Lennox, or any body else, in love with me. As to his liking to talk to me, pray, who else can he talk to? Adelaide would sometimes condescend indeed; but he won't be condescended to, that's clear, not even by a Duchess. With what mock humility he meets her airs! how I adore him for it! Then you are such a pillar of ice!-so shy and unsociable when he is present!—and, by the bye, if I did not despise recrimination as the pis aller of all conscious Misses, I would say you are much more the object of his attention, at least, than I am. Several times I have caught him looking very earnestly at you, when, by the laws of good breeding, his eyes ought to have been fixed exclusively upon me; and-"

"Pshaw !" interrupted Mary, colouring, "that is mere absence-nothing to the pur

pose-or, perhaps," forcing a smile, "he be trying to love me!" Mary thought of her poor

may

old friend, as

she said this, with bitterness of heart. It was long since she had seen her; and when she had last inquired for her, her son had said he did not think her well, with a look Mary could not misunderstand. She had heard him make an appointment with Lord Lindore for the following day, and she took the opportunity of his certain absence to visit his mother. Mrs. Lennox, indeed, looked ill, and seemed more than usually depressed. She welcomed Mary with her usual tenderness, but even her presence seemed to fail of inspiring her with glad

ness.

Mary found she was totally unsuspicious of the cause of her estrangement, and imputed it to a very different one.

"You have been a great stranger, my dear!" said she, as she affectionately em

braced her; " but at such a time I could not expect you to think of me."

"Indeed," answered Mary, equally unconscious of her meaning," I have thought. much and often, very often, upon you, and wished I could have come to you; but-" she stopped for she could not tell the truth, and would not utter a falsehood.

"I understand it all," said Mrs. Lennox, with a sigh. "Well-well-God's will be done!" Then trying to be more cheerful," Had you come a little sooner, you would have met Charles. He is just gone out with Lord Lindore. He was unwilling to leave me, as he always is, and when he does, I believe it is as much to please me as himself. Ah! Mary, I once hoped that I might have lived to see you the happy wife of the best of sons. I may speak out now, since that is all over. God has willed otherwise, and may you be rewarded in the choice you have made !"

Mary was struck with consternation to find that her supposed engagement with Mr. Downe Wright, had spread even to Rose Hall; and in the greatest confusion she attempted to deny it. But after the acknowledgment she had just heard, she acquitted herself awkwardly; for she felt as if an open explanation would only serve to revive hopes that never could be realized, and subject Colonel Lennox and herself to future perplexities. Nothing but the whole truth would have sufficed to undeceive Mrs. Lennox, for she had had the intelligence of Mary's engagement from Mrs. Downe Wright herself, who, for better security of what she already considered her son's property, had taken care to spread the report of his being the accepted lover before she left the country. Mary felt all the unpleasantness of her situation. Although detesting deceit and artifice of every kind, her confused and stammering denials seemed rather to corroborate the fact; but she felt