enter upon a variety of schemes, which he wanted either patience or ability to conduct to a favourable issue. Pendennis had just concluded his little history, when he found himself in front of a newly-finished building, of simple and not inelegant architecture, which overlooked a delightful extent of prospect." This," said lady Louisa," is destined for an academy. Well may you smile at such an expression for a school at Glenartrey; it is however my ambition to furnish the means of instruction, not only to the poor, but that the gentry of the neighbourhood may not be obliged to send their children to a distance, during their earlier years, for the rudiments of education. This building was completed after a plan entirely my and if I could meet with some intelligent and well-informed man to conduct the institution”

Pendennis had let lady Louisa proceed thus far, while he was engrossed alternately

D 4

nately with the delightful objects that presented themselves to his eye and imagination. To gratify the former, there was the simple, yet graceful, Doric structure-its airy wings and commodious offices-the portico, light, elegant, and unpretending the pediment, modestly designed the yet-blank entablature, on which Fancy whispered would appear, to such advantage, "Pendennis's Latin and English Grammar-School"—while the more comprehensive advertisement might announce that mnemonics and various other branches of knowledge were also taught. Imagination then hurried him away to the interior. The lofty and commanding desk-the drudging and obedient usher— prizes-exhibitions-half-yearly theatricals-the Sunday dinner at Meadowscourt -the monthly visit of the lady patroness -and, perhaps, outweighing all these considerations, came the prospect of a comfortable retreat for his advancing years,

and

and an exemption from the cares and anxieties of his present precarious and unsatisfactory mode of life.

Lady Louisa, an accurate and minute observer of human nature, watched all these emotions as they successively arose on the countenance of her auditor, and was not in the least surprised, though Pendennis thought she would have been so, when he broke forth into the following proposal—“ If, madam, my poor abilities were supposed adequate to the conducting such an establishment, how happy should I consider myself in assisting to promote your ladyship's truly-enlightened views!"

"Mr. Pendennis! that would be an advantage indeed! But how can I ask you to give up your present agreeable and profitable pursuits to"

"Oh, never think of that!" interrupted Pendennis, with a sincerity that had something almost ludicrous in its expression.

66

My last tour in Switzerland hardly brought me home; and though I have

better hopes of the work I am at present engaged upon, it need not be the least obstacle to the other plan. I have visited every part of Ireland, of which I propose giving the description, and will now pledge myself to complete the literary part of the undertaking in the leisure moments snatched from more arduous duties. Besides imparting the rudiments of the English and Latin tongues, as originally designed by your ladyship, I can conscientiously undertake to give instructions in five more languages; videlicet, the French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and High Dutch-to teach the admirable and inappreciable science of mnemonics, natural history, botany, mathematics, mechanics, and the whole theory of wheel-carriages."

Lady Louisa laughed." No, no, Mr. Pendennis," she said, "we shall not tax your intellects so high. I feel truly gra tified, however, by your approbation of my plan: to-morrow we will talk more of it. At present (looking at her watch),

it is time to return and see what those idle people at home are doing."

The party in the drawing-room consisted of sir Charles Southwell, indolently stretched upon a sofa, and caressing a monstrous Spanish dog, the only being present of whose existence he appeared to be sensible; Mr. Preston, the curate of Glenar trey, who was reading a newspaper; and Mr. Kilmory (sir Charles's land-steward), looking over a large map of the estate. Miss Dora O'Reilly was installed at a little work-table, covered with shreds and clippings of many-coloured worsteds, with which she was making Frogmore Garlands, or, in other words, ornamental wreaths for concealed flower-vases. At another table sat Miss Southwell, with a number of her own drawings before her, which she was submitting to the inspection of Mr. Montfort, who, with an air half-admiring, half-respectful, leant over her chair, and administered criticism and compliment in most judicious and flatterD 6

ing