ring party were shut up together, leaving Catherine and Willoughby to the undisturbed enjoyment of each other's society. When the ladies found all their attempts to separate Catherine and Willoughby were unavailing, their ill-humour increased tenfold; and Ashley, who was riding beside them, finding them both so disagreeable, dropped behind and joined Charles and Spencer, with whom he continued, till the whole party arrived in Hope Street. As it was late, the gentlemen declined going in; and having handed the ladies from the carriage, they made their bows, and rode off. Catherine, who preceded Mrs Lennox and Ellinor up stairs, was making some remark to the latter, when, to her amazement, she brushed past her-dashed open the door of her apartment, and then shut it with a noise which made the whole house resound. Catherine had not yet recovered from her surprise at this strange conduct, when Mrs Lennox also bounced forward, muttering to herself,-" A party of pleasure indeed!" and entering her apartment, slammed to the door and drew the bolt, leaving Catherine standing like a statue of surprise. CHAPTER III. Baptista. Poor girl! she weeps ;- Why dost thou wrong her that did ne'er wrong thee? Taming of the Shrew. CATHERINE was naturally mild and forbearing; and this disposition was strengthened by the conviction, that in cultivating such a frame of mind, she was not only performing her duty but promoting her happiness. Her good temper had frequently been proof against the petulance and selfishness of Ellinor; but there was something so rude in the action which she had just committed, that Catherine felt a degree of displeasure very unusual to her. As soon as her astonishment would permit her to move, she slowly proceeded to her chamber to make the necessary alterations in her dress, which she completed just as she received a summons to dinner. Conscious that she had not voluntarily offended Ellinor, and wounded by her unfeminine violence, Catherine did not, as was her wont, endeavour to soothe the irritable temper of her cousin, but confined her conversation to Sir Thomas and Lady Lennox, while Mrs Lennox and Ellinor sat in sullen silence. On leaving the table, Lady Lennox, who was fatigued with the exertions of the morning, retired to her apartment to rest for an hour or two. Mrs Lennox having secured the first volume of a new novel, followed her example. The gentlemen adjourned to the library to peruse the newspapers, while Catherine, slowly followed by Ellinor, seated herself in the drawing-room. The heart of Ellinor was filled with envy, which was increased by a secret consciousness that the estrangement of Willoughby was her own work. She felt that she had lost him, and the conviction that the superior virtues of Catherine were seen and appreciated by him, was gall and wormwood to her proud spirit; for although, in her secret soul, she admitted that Catherine had not intentionally supplanted her in his af fections, such is the injustice of passion, this consideration did not prevent her from overwhelming Catherine with a torrent of reproaches. "So, madam," she began, " you have at last succeeded in your attempts!-Yes, congratulate yourself on your triumph; but take care that it is not as short-lived as it is base." My triumph, Ellinor! what do you mean by these insinuations ?" "Sweet innocent! so you really flatter yourself that I am blind to your endeavours? Will you dare to deny that Willoughby's regard was mine, till by your arts you contrived to draw him from me?" "Ellinor, you cannot dare not believe |