and fortune. But, during the ten years of his absence from his hearths and altars, an interval comprising that portion of life, which is, perhaps, of all others the most important, as fixing the principles and forming the character; his heart, like the needle, which however driven aside by momentary agitation still finds its equipoise in the one unvaried point of attraction, had ever rested in the thought of home. The castle, where his fathers had held their court-the hills that surrounded it in gloomy, but imposing, magnificence the occupations they furnishedand even the tempest that rolled over them, as if it would toss them from their base-all had their charms in the reminiscences of an Alpine youth. Though he was the heir of wide domains, and consequently removed from the simpler parts of the description, those beautiful lines, so frequently quoted with reference to the Switzer and Savoyard, were not altogether inapplicable to Alphonzo de Mertenburg:

"Dear is that shed to which his soul conforms,
And dear the hill that lifts him to the storms;

And as the child, when scaring sounds molest,
Clings close and closer to its mother's breast,
So the rude tempest, and the whirlwind's roar,
But bind him to his native mountain more."

For many years the intercourse between the castle and the glen had suffered almost a total interruption. The habits of the Baron, always retired, rendered him a complete recluse in the absence of his son; and the few who visited his dreary mansion gradually dwindled in.number, until he was left to the solitude of its walls. Although, at the period now alluded to in our narrative, Alphonzo had returned from his travels, and had been for a considerable time once more domesticated amidst the scenes which had been familiar to his infancy and boyhood, he had not resumed his intimacy with several of his neighbours, whose acquaintance he had cultivated previous to his quitting his paternal abode. The lapse of so many years afforded a plausible excuse, and, as his reserve in this respect was not confined to individuals, no offence could be taken by any appearance of particular neglect.

Among these may be enumerated the

family of the du Blesnes. The reasons, which may have induced him to keep aloof from them, it is needless to scrutinize. Causes are frequently, if not generally, discovered by their effects; and we may leave it to conjecture, or the progress of our story, to develope the motives by which he may, or may not, have been influenced at this peculiar crisis. But so far we may affirm, whatever additional information may transpire in the sequel, that his disposition was by no means unsocial, or tinctured with that gloom which misfortune, if such we should call the afflictive visitations of heaven, had imparted to the mind of his father. Alphonzo had a heart susceptible of the gentlest affections. It is true, they did not manifest themselves in the despicable garb of effeminacy, or outward profession; but they were not the less lively or sincere. It may be doubted, also, whether at the present conjuncture, young de Mertenburg did not secretly rejoice in the opportunity afforded him of indirectly renewing his intercourse with the glen, without any formal avowal of a

wish to do so; although there does not seem to be the slightest foundation for the suspicion, insinuated by some, that it was on this account, principally, that he cultivated the society of Major and Mrs. Villaret.

Several months had elapsed since Alphonzo first received the hand of welcome from the new proprietors of the cottage. Prompted by feelings of piety, they were led to be courteous to all: and they soon found ample cause to induce a continuance of their kindness to the young nobleman. That the gratification of their vanity had a share in these attentions, may be the suggestion of a little mind; but the hope, full of immortality,' had placed them far above the reach of so unworthy a motive. The inheritor of the titles and fortune of the house of Mertenburg would naturally invite observation, The good would turn their eyes towards him with secret intercession, that his example and influence might be enlisted on their side. The bad would desire him as a companion, whose rank would sanction their immoralities: and whose authority would at least

shield them from censure, if it did not abet their criminal pursuits. Major and Mrs. Villaret, therefore, were ever rejoiced to see him. With them, they were assured, he expected no amusements such as the world admire; and they believed, not without reason, that it was not such he sought in their society. A thousand opportunities, of which they knew well how to take advantage, would necessarily occur during the period of his visit, for inculcating the tenets, or exemplifying the precepts, of the Cross; for leading him imperceptibly from time to eternity -from earth to heaven; and it was alone in this hope, that they were gratified in beholding the heir of de Mertenburg under their roof, or solicitous to conciliate his affection.

An unusually long interval had elapsed without any, save a casual call from the family of the glen. Emily had been unwell. Having gone to attend the dying-bed of a child, for whom she had testified a maternal interest, she had been tempted to remain rather late, and had in consequence caught a severe cold, which terminated in a pleurisy,