dove, and were suffered to escape uninjured, because unnoticed. Not that I am an advocate for a frequent and indiscriminate flourish of this brilliant and mischievous weapon, which is contemptible unless employed merely as the auxiliary of weightier arms. It is extremely serviceable, however, in great debates, to clear the ground of the stragglers and coxcombs on both sides, who are ever ready to rush into the fray, distracting the attention of the spectators by their noise, and impeding the encounters of the regular combatants.

Political agitations seldom ruffled my equanimity. I was fearless, I may say, from conscious strength, and the absence of personal interest in the conflict. I possessed, I believe, none of the higher attributes of eloquence; I could neither thunder nor lighten, perhaps, but I could reason in perspicuous and forcible language; I was as cold, and cutting, as highly tempered and polished as steel; I could deprive others of their self-command, without for a moment losing my own, and inflict agonizing pain with a mild and gentlemanly manIt occasionally happened that my antagonist smarting with wounds, and exasperated at being foiled at these intellectual weapons, would appeal to those of a carnal nature, with which he was more conversant. Once and only once I was really obliged to go out and stand as a mark for the lead of one, who had the preceding evening been the butt of my satire. Fortunately the blockhead did no more damage than spoiling a new hat, which was perforated by the ball intended for my brains. Apollo preserved me

ner.

"Mercurialium

Custos virorum."

CHAPTER XXIX.

I WAS a constant attendant at Mrs. Majendie's parties, which I could frequent without postponing parliamentary duties, as they were held on every Wednesday evening, nor had I usually any other evening engagement on that day, having refused a subscription to Almack's.-Indeed, I had altogether abandoned balls and routs, tired of quizzing my humble servants the dandies, flirting with pretty women and girls, and tormenting their husbands and mothers with the pains of jealousy, and the sickness of hope deferred. The rational and agreeable conversation which obtained in South Audley-Street was much more to my new or rather restored taste. Besides, here was the only chance of my meeting the female Paulets, whom I now scarcely ever saw at home, being, indeed, seldom asked, and always finding an ostensible excuse in my political engagements.

At these meetings it was by no means my policy to avoid coming into contact with Miss Paulet; on the contrary, we talked together with as much frankness, as if nothing had happened. Her manner had, indeed, lost that charming confidence and cordiality which it had manifested toward me at the Priory, but there was nothing extraordinary in this change, which frequently takes place in the intercourse of persons, when they meet in town after having been the most extreme friends in the country. Her diffidence and embarrassment had likewise disappeared, and she had completely recovered her self-possession. It is true I could never forgive her for having attempted to practise upon me, nor could I sink from love into friendship, even had she not lost my esteem; but still 1 felt myself irresistibly attracted to her society, and such was its fascination, that my belief in her hollowness was sometimes suspended, although I could never get rid of the evidence of my senses. Had the testimony been less conclusive, it could never have prevailed against the impression which I had received of her character. At those moments of delusion when I stood under the influence of her outward attractions, I was elated by a hope that

T

her conduct with respect to young Axford might still be explained, although it would be hard to say how or when; but conversant as I was with the hypocrisy of man and womankind, it was most ungrateful to think that one who was everything amiable and admirable without, could be so utterly hollow within.

Lady Jane Paulet, whose disposition was exceedingly open, could not, like her more prudent sister-in-law, control her feelings with regard to me. She continued to treat me with anger and dislike, sometimes even approaching to contempt, insomuch, that at length I thought proper considering the palpable change that had taken place in her manner, as contrasted with the kind and friendly nature of our intercourse up to a very recent period, to take some notice of it, and require, in self-justification, some explanation of this caprice, for such I must presume it to be, until I was made acquainted with its cause.

In pursuance of this resolution, I sought an opportunity one evening at Mrs. Majendie's of detaching Lady Jane from the persons near her; which I did not succeed in doing until I had whispered that I had a few words to say to her, which I did not wish to be overheard. We then walked to a table where prints were exhibited in another room, and before I could speak she asked me, with a reddening cheek and some impatience, what I had to say?

"Lady Jane," said I, " you must not consider me presumptuous or impertinent, if the estimation in which I hold your good opinion and friendship induces me to take the liberty of questioning you whether I have been so unfortunate lately as to have forfeited either?"

"Oh, certainly not-I am not aware-I know nothing of Sir Matthew-how should you have offended me?"

"Pardon me if I say that I know you too well to believe you capable of caprice, and it is impossible to mistake your manner. Something I must have unconsciously done to displease you, or I have been misrepresented. I beg, in candour and justice, that you will condescend to be explicit."

Lady Jane remained silent for a few seconds, and then answered,

"I can hardly comply with your request without the risk of being misunderstood, but I am sure that your own conduct justifies any coldness which you may experience from us. Not that I would have you suppose it gives us any concern -no, not one of us," she added energetically; "at the same

time I will candidly tell you that you have disappointedthat is, we took you to be a very different sort of person."

"In what respect? you are still not wholly intelligible. Ever since I perceived the alteration in your manner, I have been full of conjectures as to the cause, but having been able to fix upon none as having a reasonable degree of probability, I determined to appeal to yourself. And I do implore you, therefore, not to evade me, as I am persuaded that by confidence on both sides, the matter may be cleared up to our mutual satisfaction."

"Well, then, I will tell you-but, mind, I only speak for myself, and from my own observation; and I tell you plainly that if she does not perceive it, I am determined to resent anything in the shape of an attempt to slight or trifle with my sister Alice." She stopped, and was much agitated, as if she feared going too far.

"To slight-Miss Paulet! Good Heavens, Lady Jane!" "Yes, Sir Matthew," interrupted she, with increased heat, "I mean by paying her such marked attention at first, and then afterwards altogether relaxing."

"I thank you," replied I, "for not concealing the true cause, as I can now, indeed, explain everything. Ever since my first acquaintance with your family at Christmas last, I was treated with such kindness, and subsequently admitted on a familiar footing, (I shall ever remember those days with gratitude and pleasure,) that perhaps I cultivated with more assiduity than I ought the friendship of your accomplished and most amiable sister. This did not occur to myself, until I observed that Miss Paulet was solicited by, and acquiesced in the claim of another gentleman, with whose pretensions I thought that the extreme intimacy that had subsisted between me and her was not quite consistent; therefore—”

"Claim! what claim? what other gentleman? What do you mean, Sir Matthew?"

"I really must beg your indulgence. I know that I presume in adverting to such a subject, but you must recollect that I am on my defence, and allow me some latitude."

66

Certainly," answered Lady Jane, eagerly; "pray go on; I see here is some mistake, indeed. Do you mean Captain Axford ?"

"I do."

"Then I can assure you positively that there is not the slightest foundation for the notion you have taken into your

head. Alice considers him only as her brother-I assure you upon my honour."

I smiled incredulously, and Lady Jane was proceeding, when, at this interesting point our conversation was broken off. Before the evening was over, however, I took an opportunity of saying to her,

"I trust the explanation is complete, as far as I am concerned; more I have no right to demand ;" and with this I offered my hand in token of reconciliation: she received it, but not without hesitation, and with no good grace. My last remark did not seem to please her.