profession he had chosen. He was accordingly quickly rated midshipman ; and after serving the usual time, he received promotion, and signalized himself so much in a profession for which he was admirably adapted, that at the period of which we now speak, he was second lieutenant of a frigate lately returned from a cruize, and now lying at Spithead; and having obtained leave of absence, he, after paying a short visit to his father, hurried to P, ostensibly to pay his duty to his uncle, but in reality drawn thither by the strong cords of love.

During one of his visits to P—————, his youthful fancy was caught by the merry face of Charlotte Osborne, the only daughter of the veteran Colonel Osborne, who, having retired from active service, had resided some years in P——.

Among the many candidates for the favour of Miss Osborne, there were two only who had any chance of success. Reason, in the shape of Colonel Osborne, urged her to choose her cousin Mr Russell, who possess

ed a fair character, and a yet fairer estate. Love, in the guise of Ned Gordon, urged his suit with boldness and intrepidity, and frankly told her she would be much happier with him than with her more quiet cousin,

and this assertion her heart could not contradict. Warmly attached, neither father nor daughter could resolve to thwart each other, and this most momentous affair was left to be decided by time and circumstances. Charlotte, however, certain that Mr Gordon would, in the disposal of his fortune, do ample justice to his eldest son, and so remove her father's objections to their union, could not prevail on herself to hide from her lover the interest he had gained in her affections; and she soothed his jealous fears, by declaring her perfect indifference for cousin Henry. Conscious, however, as Edward was, that this dreaded cousin had many things to recommend him which he did not possess, our young lover, rash and impetuous in all his feelings, often gave way to fits of jealousy-which his fair

mistress as frequently resented, as implying distrust of that faith which she had vowed to hold inviolable. Another reason withheld Charlotte from vexing her father at this period, which was, that he had just suffered a severe disappointment in his only son, who had made a foolish love-match, in defiance of the prohibition of his father, for which offence he was forbid the house; and although Charlotte used all her influence to prevail on him to forgive and receive the youthful couple, the exasperated father remained immovable. Charlotte, however, did not despair of effecting a reconciliation; and, from time to time, her brother came by stealth to see her, and learn what progress she had made in her work of love. As Charlotte did not wish to involve Edward in the sin of countenancing the rebellious son, which would have exposed him to her father's displeasure, she always contrived to secure his absence when she expected to have an interview with her brother; and, in pursuance of this scheme, she, on this

day, sent him from her on some plausible pretence; and he, not knowing what to do with himself, had sauntered down to the sands, where he encountered his quondam fellow-traveller, and conjured up in the heart of Sir Pelham "Hydras, gorgons, and chimeras dire."

Charlotte was still in deep discourse with her brother, when, happening to raise her eyes to the window, she observed Mrs Smellarat just entering the gate. Run, Philip, make your escape into the next room, there comes Mrs Smellarat-it would be utter ruin to us all if my father were to learn that you were here."

"I am afraid," replied he, "it is too late. I think she must have seen me at the window."

"She may not know it is you-run, I beseech you."

And Mrs Smellarat entered the lobby, just as the skirt of Philip's coat disappeared at an opposite door.

"How do you do, my dear Miss Osborne? I hope Colonel Osborne is well ?" Quite well, madam," replied Char

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lotte.

"Is he at home to-day?"

"No; he went to Edinburgh early this morning, and has not returned yet."

"Indeed! well, how people may be mistaken; I'm sure I thought I saw a gentleman standing near the window as I came in, and I fancied he had a great resemblance to Colonel Osborne."

"As you so justly remark, people are very often deceived in this world."

Piqued at being so foiled, Mrs Smellarat, who knew perfectly well the attachment which subsisted between Charlotte and Edward Gordon, determined to have her revenge.

"Have you seen Mr Edward Gordon lately? I think you are acquainted with him ?"

"Yes, very lately."

"I really pity my worthy friend, Mrs