so clear-sighted, whose judgment was wont to be so penetrating, so calm, so collected! How must her reasoning powers have been now biassed by her feelings, her mind warped by pre-conceived notions ; or how could she thus have forgotten that little cause had the wealthy Anglo-Indian now to fear a contemptuous reception from the bankrupt merchant? The mention of Mr. Lyndham's departure for the south of England affected her strangely. "Was he, then," she asked a thousand times during the day, "was he staying at Turretcliffhad his friendship for Frank Herbert continued during that long lapse of years-was it probable that Lady Sarah, who had slighted her, would receive him again under her roof; and if so, could he view with indifference scenes and persons which must be associated in his mind with a period of deep and thrilling interest? She believed, from her own feelings, that it was impossible it should be so.” Yet as weeks passed away, and Mr. Lyndham still continued to absent himself, I perceived, with anxiety, that her brow again wore an expression of anxious thought, that her step was less springy, and her spirits had become varying and unequal. CHAPTER IX. At the first sight They have changed eyes. Not the pangs of hope deferr'd Scowls the spectre of despair. SHAKSPEARE. MONTGOMERY. It was the third of September,-I remember it well by this same token, that it was Viola's birthday-Margaret's two children were spending the afternoon with us, and more turbulent, seditious, riotous little beings, it would be impossible to imagine; a second edition were they of Margaret and Dick; but, alas! neither revised nor corrected.' The boy had even a trick of Richard's face! Mrs. Sidney, with the two-fold feeling of maternity strong at her heart, was yet so deafened by their tumultuous proceedings, as fain to ensconce herself in a dis tant corner of the apartment, where, seated behind her huge embroidery-frame, she was effectually screened from their view, and sheltered from their attacks. Wearied out by my ineffectual efforts to amuse them, I, too, had retired from the immediate scene of action, and, leaning my aching head upon my hand, watched their gambols as they were now victimising Viola and Lucy, to their hearts' content. At that moment, notwithstanding all my partial love for Viola, I could not but be forcibly struck by the remarkable contrast which the sisters presented to each other. Lucy was seated on the ground, and the little girl having taken out the comb from her long hair, it was floating around her in luxuriant profusion very lovely she looked, as in the full glow of youth, and health, and vigour, she was romping and laughing with the child, and, childlike, was she enjoying the exuberant mirth of the moment. The little boy, seeing his sister so well employed, was bent upon amusing himself in like manner, and, clambering up the back of Viola's chair, he endeavoured to dispossess her of her cap, in order that he might pull down her hair. This, however, Viola strenuously resisted; but the boy, who was an infant Hercules, had succeeded in pushing it over her brow, and in disarranging her curls, until they fell in dishevelled masses over her eyes, giving to her faded and care-worn countenance a peculiarly forlorn appearance, for Viola had arrived at that period of life when a woman is ever more or less dependant upon the adventitious aid of the toilette. The din had now reached its climax, for the little boy, rendered violent by opposition, had begun to scream most vigorously, in which satisfactory exercise of the lungs he was soon joined by his sister, who seemed fired with a laudable spirit of emulation, and wisely resolved upon not suffering herself to be outdone in an exploit strictly feminine. So great was the uproar, that a knock at the streetdoor was unheeded by any of the party, and I started as I felt the sleeve of my gown violently pulled, and heard the voice of the maid-servant loudly proclaiming in my ear, "A gentleman, ma'am." I looked up, and, wrapped in his travelling-cloak, his hat drawn as usual over his brow, I saw the tall form of Mr. Lyndham standing a few paces within the door-way. His eagle eye shot a keen glance around, but I observed that his gaze fastened upon Lucy, who, now first perceiving him, rose from the floor, deeply blushing beneath that fixed regard. The children's shrill voices were instantaneously hushed; the little girl flew to me, whilst her brother hid his face in Viola's lap. Mr. Lyndham now quickly advanced towards Lucy, and exclaimed, "Have years so changed me, Viola, that you should fail to recognise me?" "You mistake me," said Lucy, colouring yet more deeply; "there is Viola." His countenance fell; he did not approach her, but he remained for a second transfixed to the spot, whilst the expression of his eye spoke plainer than words, "Can that wreck be indeed Viola Sidney?" A pang of almost spasmodic agony seemed, for a moment, to convulse Viola's features; but it was only for a moment, and disengaging herself from the child's tenacious grasp, she advanced to Mr. Lyndham, and, extending her hand to him, said, and her voice faltered not as she spoke-" You think Lucy like me, Mr. Lyndham; she is generally considered so like what I was," she added, in a tremulous accent, but quickly recovering herself, continued, "I claim the privilege of an old acquaintance; you must allow me to introduce you to my mother." Mrs. Sidney had been so intently absorbed in her occupation, as to be, for a few moments, unaware of the presence of a stranger; she now, however, hastily pushed aside her embroidery-frame, and in another second was seated by Mr. Lyndham, pouring forth questions respecting her son's well-doing and well-being, which were answered by him in the |